La furgoneta eléctrica utiliza baterías de iones de litio fabricadas por A123Systems.
Estos monovolúmenes son parte de una flota experimental, pero Chrysler espera ofrecer modelos eléctricos similares a clientes que necesiten pequeños transportes de mercancías con rangos relativamente pequeños.
A123Systems producirá células de baterías prismáticas de nanofosfato de litio-ion que equiparan los vehículos ENVI (equipados con un pequeño motor de combustión para producir electricidad, híbridos enchufables) y EV (vehículos exclusivamente eléctricos) que está desarrollando Chrysler.
La primera generación de vehículos eléctricos de autonomía extendida de Chrysler utilizará un módulo de baterías con diferentes escalas, el mismo que fue presentado en el pasado Salón del Automóvil de Detroit en los coches de concepto Dodge Circuit EV, Jeep Wrangler EV, Jeep Patriot EV, Chrysler Town & Country EV y Chrysler 200C EV.
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Chrysler Celebrates Earth Day by Revealing All-New Electric Minivan Concepts to U.S. Postal Service
Chrysler LLC, in conjunction with the USPS and select energy service providers, also announced that the company intends to apply for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DoE) Transportation Electrification stimulus program for a federal grant, which would enable Chrysler to establish a nationwide demonstration fleet of zero-emission electric minivans that could be used by the U.S. Postal Service for mail delivery.
"With more than a 40 percent market share, our Chrysler and Dodge minivans continue to lead the segment we created more than 25 years ago," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President–Product Development, Chrysler LLC. "Our ENVI electric minivan concepts illustrate Chrysler’s innovation with electric vehicle technology and show what the future could hold."
Chrysler’s ENVI group leveraged the flexibility of its electric-vehicle strategy to demonstrate an all-electric version of its best-selling minivan. These electric minivan concepts are targeted specifically for use by the U.S. Postal Service for mail delivery.
"We continue to look for energy-efficient replacement vehicles for our aging fleet as we explore ways to reduce our transportation-related carbon emissions," said Sam Pulcrano, Vice President–Sustainability, U.S. Postal Service.
"Chrysler and the Postal Service have an established relationship as there are more than 10,000 of our minivans in the Postal Service fleet," said Lou Rhodes, Vice President–Advance Vehicle Engineering and President of ENVI, Chrysler LLC. "The Postal Service is a recognized environmental innovator and leader, and we are excited at the prospect of continuing our relationship by working to deliver alternative energy postal delivery vehicles in the future."
Because robust grid integration is essential for widespread customer acceptance of electric vehicles, Chrysler has enlisted the involvement of key utility partners, including Duke, ConEd and DTE. Each has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Chrysler to equip post offices in strategically selected regions of the United States with a charging infrastructure for the envisioned program. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) also has signed an LOI to provide USPS integration tools.
"Our partnership is structured to easily expand into additional regions of the country as the scope of the project increases," added Rhodes.
Earlier this month, Chrysler announced A123Systems as one of its strategic partners and production battery supplier for the company’s initial production electric vehicles. Chrysler LLC and A123Systems signed an agreement stating that A123Systems will supply energy storage systems for Chrysler’s first-generation ENVI Range-extended Electric Vehicles and battery-only Electric Vehicles. Based in Watertown, Massachusetts, A123Systems has announced plans for a Michigan-based production facility. A123Systems will manufacture Nanophosphate Lithium ion prismatic battery cells, modules and battery packs for Chrysler LLC. Advanced lithium-ion battery chemistry has the capability of meeting consumer demands for performance, driving range and durability.
ENVI
A symbol that represents the first four letters of environment is Chrysler LLC’s entrepreneurial in-house organization focused on electric-drive production vehicles and related advanced technologies. ENVI is a cross-functional, nimble team empowered to move quickly and access vast resources within Chrysler LLC in order to integrate electric-vehicle technology into existing products. ENVI-powered electric vehicles inspire a personal mobility revolution, creating a new generation of responsible, no-compromise Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep(R) vehicles.
Chrysler Minivan leadership
With more than 65 minivan-first innovations in 25 years, the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan pay homage to the more than 12 million minivans sold worldwide. With the segment’s first and only Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, minivan-first Swivel ‘n Go(TM) seat system that allows second-row passengers to swivel 180 degrees to face third-row passengers and segment-exclusive uconnect(R) studios providing satellite entertainment with family-fun programming–2009 Chrysler and Dodge minivans are the best family-friendly minivans, with more than 40 percent U.S. market share, the third-largest nameplate in Canada, unsurpassed 25 highway mile per gallon fuel economy and sales in more than 80 countries.
About Chrysler LLC
Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2008 were 2 million vehicles. Outside of North America, 2008 was the second-best sales year in the last decade and the third-best ever for Chrysler International.
Chrysler LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and Dodge Challenger and Ram. Reinforcing a commitment to bring to market a broad array of advanced electric vehicles across all of its brands, Chrysler has introduced five electric-drive vehicle prototypes since the fall of 2008. At least one of these vehicles will be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, followed by production for European markets.
SOURCE Chrysler LLC
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Chrysler to Sell Electric Minivans…but Only to Postal Service
The sporty Dodge Circuit may be the first of Chrysler’s five prototype electric vehicles to hit dealerships, but the electric Town & Country Minivan may have been the most intriguing. If the price could be kept reasonable, millions of Americans might be interested in a family hauler that doesn’t require much gas. Chrysler now hopes to build and sell the vehicle – but only to the U.S. Postal Service.
Autoblog reports, "Chrysler is celebrating Earth Day today by unveiling the first four of what will be a fleet of 250 battery-powered minivans for the U.S. Postal Service. The USPS will be using the vans for a variety of duties at locations around the country – including daily home delivery."
Kicking Tires cautions, "The U.S. Postal Service hasn’t signed on to buy any" of the vans. They concede that the move makes sense, noting "Any vehicle used in stop-and-go traffic that’s often left idling should be the first kind replaced by an electric version."
The Postal vans won’t be identical to the Town & Country EV Concept. They are battery-powered only, lacking the range-extending gasoline engine carried by the concept van. Autoblog notes, however, that "the electric drive portion of the vehicles, including the motor, electronics and A123 System lithium ion battery pack is identical."
The USPS fleet proposal would allow Chrysler to study and refine the vans further before releasing them to dealerships for sale. The Detroit News reports, "Chrysler will build 24 more vehicles for the USPS to use and Chrysler to evaluate, while applying for a government grant to expand the demonstration fleet to 250 vehicles." Chrysler says the minivans have a range of 40 miles on a single charge.
Jalopnik isn’t fond of the idea. "Taxpayer money to pay for the marketing of a product Chrysler is unable to bring to market?" they write. "That’s almost as good an idea as trusting the post office with a fragile package."
If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.
www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/envi/overview/
