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Vice President Biden announces $2.4 billion in battery-related grants

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 5th 2009 at 5:17PM

It hasn't been much of a secret that the US government was planning to dole out a couple of billion in battery-related grants to automakers this week, but we only got the details on who gets what today when Vice President Joe Biden made the big announcement himself in Detroit. As you might expect, the big three automakers all got a sizable chunk of the $2.4 billion up for grabs, with GM snagging $240 million for three separate grants, Ford getting $92.7 million (part of which will fund an electric-drive-parts facility in Michigan), and Chrysler receiving $70 million to develop and deploy advanced plug-in hybrid pickups and minivans. The single biggest winner, however, is Johnson Controls Inc., which got close to $300 million to produce battery parts for hybrid and electric vehicles. Chrysler partner A123 Systems Inc. was the next highest with $249.1 million, while EnerDel got $118.5 million that it'll use for its Indianapolis plant that produces lithium-ion cells and battery packs.

[Image courtesy Wood TV8]

Dodge Circuit EV test drive gets chronicled on video

by Donald Melanson posted May 11th 2009 at 2:24PM

We've already gotten a good look at the Dodge Circuit EV courtesy of the good folks at AutoblogGreen, but they've now come through yet again with a video that shows the Tesla competitor in action (or moving, at least). While it's expectedly still very much in prototype form, our fearless test driver nonetheless seems to have been fairly impressed by the car, with it delivering some speedy acceleration and an apparently generally pleasing ride. As noted earlier, however, the car is a tad cramped, and the real visibility leaves quite a bit to be desired, although Chrysler says that should be remedied somewhat by some smaller batteries in the eventual production version. Head on past the break for the video.

Continue reading Dodge Circuit EV test drive gets chronicled on video

Chrysler aims to produce all-electric USPS pimpmobiles... er, minivans

by Darren Murph posted Apr 27th 2009 at 2:11AM

Have a look at that sweet piece up above and just imagine your mail being carted around inside. Go ahead, we'll wait. If Chrysler has its druthers (and stays afloat long enough to make good on its good intentions), it'll soon be producing a fleet of all-electric Town and Country minivans for the United States Postal Service. The automaker has voiced its plans to apply for a federal grant in order to get things moving, though it will be looking to utility companies Duke Energy and ConEd to make it all come together. If all goes well, the vans produced will have a range of around 40 miles, though it's expected that they will have a gasoline-powered motor on board in case that last overnight package requires just a few more miles. 'Course, there's no guarantee that the application will result in a grant, but for all those who appreciate comedy, we can only hope it flies though in record time.

Dodge Circuit EV goes for a test drive

by Paul Miller posted Apr 23rd 2009 at 10:23PM

Value your bodily safety too much to get within shouting distance of an electric motorcycle or a two-seat Segway? Our friends at AutoblogGreen have you totally covered with a test drive in the utterly safe, normal and boring Dodge Circuit EV. It's based on the same powertrain that Chrysler is stuffing into all of its ENVI vehicles, but with the lightweight Lotus-derived frame on top, there's quite a bit of get-up-and-go to it. Unfortunately, the cabin is a bit cramped, and Chrysler still has some bugs to work out with its EV platform. Right now the regenerative braking bites right away, instead of letting the car coast, requiring constant use of the accelerator to keep moving, but Chrysler is working on it. There are still big questions on price and availability, but so it goes with most electric vehicles -- at least this one seems fairly ready to go.

Note: Gallery jumps to AutoBlogGreen

Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive

Chrysler's Peapod EV lets iPod double as ignition key

by Ross Miller posted Apr 19th 2009 at 8:31AM

That unassuming iPod dock we saw in Chrysler GEM's Peapod prototype? Turns out it's got a pretty interesting little trick, allowing your iPhone / iPod double as the ignition key. According to the EV's brochure, the company's got an app that makes all the magic work, and if you wish to start your car in an old-school manner, keys are still a viable option. Sure, it's not the first example of car-phone integration we've come across, it's a welcome addition to the oddly-shaped neighborhood whip that's going beyond concept phase into production this October.

Video: Chrysler's iPhone-like dashboard makes your car look lame

by Darren Murph posted Apr 15th 2009 at 10:34AM

Personally, we're still digging the central display in Land Rover's forthcoming Range Rover over this, but it's hard to not appreciate a button-free whip. Chrysler was on hand for the 2009 NY Auto Show in order to showcase the 200C concept, a car that utilizes Nartron's touch technology in order to operate entirely without buttons. We stopped by the booth to check out the demonstration, and while a few things seemed inactive, the bulk of it was downright impressive. Now, whether or not Chrysler hangs around long enough to push this into show rooms is another matter entirely, but either way, you can check the vid just after the break.

Continue reading Video: Chrysler's iPhone-like dashboard makes your car look lame

War on buttons extends to automotive front with Chrysler's iPhone-like dashboard

by Tim Stevens posted Apr 15th 2009 at 8:21AM

It's no secret that Apple doesn't like buttons, making the iPhone nearly free of the things and then further pushing the offensive by cropping the 3G Shuffle down to one massively overloaded input. Nartron Corporation is Apple's partner in button hate, bringing that bias to Chrysler of all places to develop a next-gen dashboard for the company's 200C concept. The system is called iQ Power and is unabashedly iPhone-inspired, featuring big, colorful controls and even cover-flow album art for media browsing. Interestingly the system will allow "any smartphone" to be used as an intelligent key, unlocking doors and even accessing a video stream of the car's interior -- which should do wonders for your auto's battery life. The system naturally offers UConnect and features a wireless tablet that allows passengers to send music recommendations to the driver's console. Of course, passengers could also just speak up, but when you're as flush with profits as Chrysler is, why not blow some cash researching useless tech like in-car messaging?

[Thanks, Josh, photo courtesy of Adam Bird for The New York Times]

Peapod the friendly Neighborhood Electric Vehicle in the flesh (with video!)

by Paul Miller posted Apr 9th 2009 at 6:37PM

We just got an exclusive first look at the Peapod from Chrysler's Global Eco Mobility unit. Like its cousin the GEM, Peapod is a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, which means it's limited by law to 25 mph and can't go on the highways. Peapod gets about 30 miles on a charge, and adds in all the "car" goodies that GEM was lacking. The vehicle seats four in lightweight Arion-inspired seats, has suicide doors for easy entry, a windowed roof that can be removed for some open-air driving, and even a nice amount of trunk space. On the dash there's an iPod dock and the instruments panel is a colorful collection of informations. We couldn't drive it around just yet -- it was stuck in a building lobby -- but we'll get a shot at taking this onto the city streets shortly. The Peapod should hit the streets in October, for the quite dramatic estimated pricetag of around $12,000. That's a pretty penny for something that can't top 25 mph, but at least this thing is a lot more likely than the P.U.M.A. to land in your driveway in the near future.

Update: We added some video, check it out after the break!

Gallery: Peapod the friendly Neighborhood Electric Vehicle in the flesh

Continue reading Peapod the friendly Neighborhood Electric Vehicle in the flesh (with video!)

Garmin provides in-dash navigation system for 2011 Grand Cherokee

by Donald Melanson posted Apr 8th 2009 at 2:22PM

It's not quite as elaborate as that 12-inch dual-view touchscreen found in the new 2010 Range Rover, but it looks like Chrysler's 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will come with own its share of in-dash amenities, including a GPS navigation system courtesy of Garmin. That'll be integrated into the same 6.5-inch touchscreen used for Chrysler's Uconnect radio and, of course, will offer everything you'd expect from a standalone GPS unit and then some, including lane assist, speed limit and current speed information, spoken street names, details on nearby points of interest, and even some spiffy customized Chrysler-specific icons. Of course, the vehicle itself also packs a number of other improvements that Chrysler hopes will woo some new customers, but we'll let our friends at Autoblog run those down for you.

[Via Autoblog]

Chrysler's Web Edition vehicle package: includes WiFi, iPod touch and a Dell Mini 9

by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 8:52PM

Chrysler has been toying with in-car connectivity for months now, so it's really no shock to see the next logical step being taken. At the San Francisco Auto Show this week, the automaker is set to showcase a "Web Edition" package, which would theoretically be available as a dealer-installed option for most Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles. The bundle would include an Autonet Mobile router (branded as Uconnect Web), a Dell Mini 9, 8GB iPod touch, Sony PSP and an Eye-Fi WiFi SD card; couple that with one year of internet service and you've got everything that makes up the $1,999 asking price. Reportedly, a slimmed down option will go for $1,100 and only include the router, service and Mini 9, though there's no indication of when it'll be hitting new whips. Nor if Chrysler will survive long enough to tell us.

Walt Mossberg reviews Autonet: spotty, but still distracting enough to be dangerous

by Laura June posted Nov 13th 2008 at 7:43PM

Chrysler's in-car WiFi, Autonet Mobile, has been around for a little while now, and Walt Mossberg has helpfully reviewed it for us. He found the service (which is basically an in-car 3G WiFi router) to be great for email and basic web surfing, but it was too slow to handle anything much more demanding, like streaming videos. Speed test results ranged from 100 kbps to 500 kbps, with an average of 400-450 kbps... pretty average for 3G speeds, and Walt says the connection never dropped. On the plus side, it appears that Chrysler is willing to mount the ruggedized router in the trunk of any car -- not just their models -- which is great news if, like most people, you have no intention of driving a Chrysler around. The Autonet box runs $499 ($399 for the holidays) with a one-year contract and monthly fees of about $29. That may seem expensive, but can you put a price on your kids checking Facebook rather than asking "Are we there yet" every twelve seconds? Hit the read link for the full review.

GEM becomes Green Eco Mobility, introduces Peapod prototype

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 30th 2008 at 3:37AM

While Chevy makes quite a to-do about the upcoming Volt hybrid, GM-cousin Chrysler has quietly continued to produce over 38,000 real, honest to gosh electric cars in its GEM sub-division. In need of a little eco-PR boost, Global Electric Motorcars is re-branding itself as Global Eco Mobility and introducing the Peapod. No, not that Peapod, or that Peapod, but a new Peapod that will travel up to 30 miles at 25 mph on an eight hour charge -- stats that sound suspiciously identical to the company's earlier Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (when not in muddin' guise, at least). But, that car doesn't sport bulbous looks on the outside nor gratuitous iPod integration on the inside (pictured below), which, if you don't have to go far or fast, might make it the perfect accessory for your pod when it enters production sometime next year for an undisclosed price.

[Via Register Hardware]

Continue reading GEM becomes Green Eco Mobility, introduces Peapod prototype

Chrysler's new electric vehicles shown on video

by Darren Murph posted Sep 25th 2008 at 4:00AM

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.

Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicle prototypes get outed

by Darren Murph posted Sep 24th 2008 at 7:27AM

Seeing that General Motors left a gaping hole of opportunity for other automakers to produce a new EV by 2010 that isn't uglier than sin itself, it's no real shock to see Chrysler champing at the bit. Just this week, the company has introduced a trio of advanced electric-drive vehicle prototypes (simply coined Chrysler EV, Jeep EV and Dodge EV for now), one of which will mysteriously surface in 2010 for consumers in North America. Feel free to hit the read link for the entire hope-filled press release and the gallery of images, but if we've learned anything of late about those succulent concept shots, it's to not believe them (at all).

Chrysler's $499 Uconnect Web in-car EV-DO system coming this month

by Darren Murph posted Aug 13th 2008 at 3:21AM

Wait, wait. Something that was promised for next year is arriving... this year? Be still our hearts! Chrysler will reportedly offer up its in-car EV-DO solution (dubbed Uconnect Web) starting on August 25th, and owners of 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles (along with a few "earlier models") will be able to have the $499 box retrofitted into their rides. Apparently the auto maker isn't planning to install the units directly at the factory, so those who want it will be forced to pay an additional $35 to $50 installation charge, a $35 activation fee and a $29 monthly subscription fee. The service is said to provide download speeds between 400Kbps and 800Kbps with uploads hovering around 400Kbps, and provider Autonet Mobile has promised that you'll "never lose the connection." That's a pretty bold claim -- thankfully we'll be able to test it out in just a few weeks.

[Via CrunchGear, image courtesy of Flickr]