Chrysler
designs its hybrid future for NAIAS
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The
Dodge ZEO electric concept
If the future were judged by
design, then Chrysler would be in great shape with its new
concept vehicles. Designed to "extend hybrid electric
vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle benefits to
the next level," Chrysler debuted a fuel cell plug-in
hybrid, a diesel hybrid, and a pure electric vehicle this
year at NAIAS.
The Chrysler
ecoVoyager uses a lithium-powered electric motor to
achieve 40 miles of electric range coupled with a fuel
cell for a total driving range of 300 miles. The Jeep
Renegade is powered in a similar way as the ecoVoyager,
however, the Renegade uses a BlueTec diesel engine, rather
than a fuel cell, to extend its range to 400 miles.
Finally, the Dodge
ZEO is a lithium-powered electric vehicle with a range
of 200 miles.
Reviewing these concepts, in terms of powertrains, it
seems Chrysler stole a page out of GM's E Flex Drive
playbook - the drive of the Chevy
Volt and Saturn
Flextreme. Sadly, however, these technologies are
planned for the "not-too-distant future", and
other than the ecoVoyager, the designs of these vehicles -
while beautiful and inspiring - seem unrealistic or
extremely expensive at best. The most reasonable design,
the ecoVoyager, is powered by a fuel cell so the
"not-too-distant future" could still be many
years away.
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