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Chrysler's Peapod NEV killed in bankruptcy

Chrysler's Peapod neighborhood electric vehicle always seemed like more of an experiment than a profit-maker, and unfortunately idealism isn't too popular with creditors -- according to Edmunds, the Peapod was canceled in March as part of the company's bankruptcy proceedings. Apparently adapting the Peapod's button-cute design to federal safety standards was overly expensive, so Chrysler and new part-owner Fiat will convert the existing Fiat 500 to electric operation. The Peapod design and other assets are up for sale, so there's a chance someone else will pick up the pieces, and Peapod designer Peter Arnell may yet build a full-speed EV in the future, so we'll keep our eyes open.