Dodge zeo electric concept car

On this Tuesday Chrysler is going to unveil and electric car to the public.  Some speculate that the announcement is an effort to cheer up dealers.  But when you really cut through it, electric cars are going to be a big part of the future of the auto industry and Chrysler is not going to be left in the dust.  I think that the announcement is a strategic effort to turn around the notion that Chrysler is going bankrupt, that it doesn’t have any green cars, that it doesn’t have a future.

According to sources the electric car will go 40 miles on a battery charge.  When the battery is depleted a small gas engine will run to power an electric generator.  Sounds a lot like the Chevy Volt.  My guess is that like the hybrid SUVs, the cylinder deactivation in the current V8 engines, and the new phoenix V6 Chrysler and GM are working together on this project.

Source: WSJ

Bob Nardelli sat down with Charlie Rose recently and talked about a number of topics about Chrysler and the auto industry as a whole.

ENVI is an in-house Chrysler organization, it was formed late last year with a focus on establishing electric-drive vehicles and related advanced-propulsion technologies. Team members were selected for their exceptional skills in portfolio management, modular architecture, product engineering, manufacturing, design, and procurement and supply.

“ENVI has an entrepreneurial small company spirit that can apply the vast resources available at Chrysler to create environmentally responsible vehicles customers aspire to own,” said Lou Rhodes, President – ENVI, Chrysler LLC. “With ENVI, Chrysler will be able to quickly address the unique dynamic that is taking place between changing consumer attitudes, the worldwide regulatory landscape, and the acceleration of propulsion technologies.”

Providing exceptional fuel economy and reducing emissions is part of Chrysler’s environmental commitment, thus allowing customers to make environmentally responsible choices without compromising their mobility needs.

“Electrically driven vehicles are zero emission vehicles,” said Rhodes. “Generating electricity from renewable sources to power tomorrow’s vehicles breaks the dependency on fossil fuels and promotes the development of renewal and clean energy production.”