Chrysler's new electric vehicles shown on video

What else can we say? Chrysler's new electric vehicles that were introduced yesterday just got a lot more real thanks to a stable of videos showing 'em off. To be honest, we're not too jazzed about the whisper quiet Chrysler minivan or the otherwise plain Jeep Wrangler, but that Dodge EV -- mmm, now that's a fine piece of engineering. Tap the read link and mash play if you're thirsty for more.

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 25th 2008 4:07AM]

Its a Lotus Europa! I don't know why Dodge decided to use it. It doesn't even look like a dodge apart from the obnoxious colour scheme.

[avester @ Sep 25th 2008 4:28AM]

Stripes and flashy colors make it go faster, go back to school!

[LondonConsultant @ Sep 25th 2008 4:42AM]

Maybe every manufacturer's cool electric sports car will use a Lotus base! First Tesla, then Chrysler... Looking forward to an electric underwater white Esprit in Quantum of Solace...

[kojo87 @ Sep 25th 2008 11:15AM]

the headlamps look exactly like those of the most recent Dodge Stratus (which was replaced by the Avenger right?) but other than that you are right. it looks just like a Lotus

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 25th 2008 12:20PM]

The reason they used the Lotus Europa as a *MULE* is because it was a stable, spacious platform that would allow them to demonstrate the possibilities. They will be using a different platform with a different body style if this every makes it to production.

[OneLove @ Sep 25th 2008 12:38PM]

I remember the day when people were saying this could never happen. Electric cars? Now everyone is going electric. :) its about time. (but how much is it going to cost me?)

I wonder what big oil is thinking right now? I know, I know...big oil will never worry they will adapt. I guess we should thank the bush administration for pushing the economy to the brink so we could seriously look at alternatives to oil usage.

[Harkonian @ Sep 25th 2008 9:51PM]

I refuse to look at non-production vehicles anymore. The final straw was the Chevy Volt. I was excited about it and it looked incredible pre-production, only to be released looking like a slight civic modification.

[nanobis @ Sep 25th 2008 4:28AM]

less than 40 miles a day thats reall funny, cos you all to lazy to walk any were. The concept is good idea but i dont understand why, its basicly a toyota prius updated to a jeep wrangler, and a minivan. the prius is less econoical that some mercs and audi's

If the elecric range was better then it wuould be better, but its not a bad place to start tho.

il say as well that the dodge ant to bad.

[kojo87 @ Sep 25th 2008 11:14AM]

i was going to say something about how dumb that post was but i think that last sentence just about summed it up.

[nanobis @ Sep 25th 2008 11:49AM]

is it the low rank for the american joke or the dodge one.

just for claity.

chears muchly.

[Jan @ Sep 25th 2008 4:31AM]

So, again an US car manufacturer put some batteries into a Lotus, (Lotus Europa here, Tesla is an Elise), which is basically British/Malaysian. Ain't they able to build their own lightweigh car?

[avester @ Sep 25th 2008 4:35AM]

Why invent the wheel (pun) again?

[Seanross @ Sep 25th 2008 4:43AM]

I'd take it over the Volt... although I know it's a Europa....

[willj778 @ Sep 25th 2008 5:58AM]

One thing that I have never seen answered anywhere is don't batteries like die after a few years? I assume these batteries would be very expensive to replace.

[fanman @ Sep 25th 2008 7:58AM]

You have to send them back to apple for a refit.

[jntaylor @ Sep 25th 2008 6:35AM]

If Chrysler really wants to set themselves above other EV/plug-in hybrids, then they must release the minivan before others. It could show auto consumers that you can get a real-life car that is EV powered. We don't need another hypercar like the Tesla and we need something bigger than a Pirus so families can use it everyday.

If the van is built with quality and priced within reason given its newer-drive train, then it can be successful. My wife does a great deal of daily driving with the kids but still keeps it under 40 miles and day. So, she can drive it without ever really needing to fill-up.

Once the general consumer base see that you can get a familiar sized car that can meet your daily needs and only sip gas, then demand will explode and these type of cars can become the norm.

[iEye @ Sep 25th 2008 7:35AM]

So anyone know why this car needs a large radiator grill and air intakes on the hood since there is no engine?

Dodge you piece of...

[Jan @ Sep 25th 2008 8:08AM]

Cause they took an existing car and to cool the batteries, which are, as well as the engine in Lotus' original car, mid-mounted - so the air inlet vents end there.

[fanman @ Sep 25th 2008 8:01AM]

Because it's based on (is) a lotus, which does.

[musicmonkey34 @ Sep 25th 2008 10:27AM]

Speed holes. makes it go faster.

[frankXchange @ Sep 25th 2008 10:00AM]

The battery questions have been answered. You just have to slog your way through more articles.

What I'd like cleared up are questions about the electric motors. I've seen both large, centralised motors with power distribution systems to the wheels, and cars with the motors built into the wheels. I believe the Tesla and a number of others use the wheel-based approach. This car (which looks great) appears to be centralised. I'd like to learn more about the pros and cons of each system - why they chose them, etc.

I don't trust American motors and drive trains. EV's might be their ticket out of the blackened reputation they've earned over the last 40 years. The fewer moving parts, the fewer things they can screw up.

[happy_penguin @ Sep 25th 2008 10:11AM]

American drivetrains are fine in V6 and V8 configurations. I've owned many and they've been excellent. What I haven't trusted is American four cylinder engines but I think even that has changed in the past decade.

[f14tomdog2 @ Sep 25th 2008 10:48AM]

so you would hope... kaboom

[Greg @ Sep 25th 2008 12:46PM]

Motors in wheel hubs makes a lot of sense, theoretically. Unfortunately, the practical application does not. Large, unsprung weight means bigger, heavier suspensions. Also, hub motors are exposed to the elements more, shortening their life.

A single centralized motor means transmission losses getting power routed to the wheels.

What I'd like to see is an all electric (plug in recharge) vehicle with a 50 to 100 mile range that also comes with a diesel generator "pup" one can put in the back of the vehicle for longer road trips. 95% of the time, the "pup" stays home in your garage, no need to haul it everywhere you go (of course you can if you want but your range suffers). A small diesel engine designed to operate at a single RPM is very efficient (talk to VW) compared to a gasoline engine.

[Doug @ Sep 25th 2008 10:45AM]

To say this car is based on the Lotus Europa just like the Tesla Roadster is based on the Elise is a bit misleading. The Roadster is based on the Elise, but it's an entirely different car. Different chassis, different body, designed to be electric from the ground up. The only things it shares with the Elise is the airbag system (which includes much of the dash) and the windshield.
This "Dodge" EV isn't just based of the Europa, it actually just is a Europa converted to be electric with a motor and power electronics from UQM.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/09/et008_013ev-1280.jpg
If fact it's likely that UQM did the conversion for them.
http://www.uqm.com/app_engineering.php
So I'm left wondering what part of this car is made by Chrysler besides the Dodge badge on the front. For Chrysler to call this car a product of Chrysler engineering is ridiculous.

[Dee @ Sep 25th 2008 11:31AM]

Looks cool, too expensive to care.