Fuel Efficiency in a Futuristic Package:
2010 Chrysler Town and Country EV

Check out our New Chrysler Town and Country Inventory!!!

The all new 2010 Chrysler Town and Country is causing people to rethink what the minivan can be. In the current economy people want to have fuel economy but not sacrifice the luxuries that could be had with a regular vehicle. Chrysler seems to have the mix down with the new 2010 Chrysler Town and Country EV. The EV (electric vehicle) addition to this tried and true line will certainly make its presence felt once it hits the assembly line for Chrysler in mid to late 2009. We believe this is the most practical application of Chrysler's hybrid technology that we have seen so far.

With a 40 mile range on a fully charged lithium ion battery the vehicle is powered by a 200 kW (268hp) electric motor powering the front wheels. After 40 miles and the battery has depleted itself the Town & Country EV then activates a generator in the form of a small 98-hp gasoline engine. Electricity created from the internal combustion engine is sent not only to the battery for recharging, but also to the electric motor, boosting the total range of the vehicle (Chrysler claims it's as high as 400 miles to a tank of gasoline).

With it likely to see production for the 2010 model year this vehicle could make a lot of sense for the urban based family with economic hopes in mind. Chrysler has already announced the first ENVI product to reach production will likely be a cargo van (we bet it'll carry Dodge badges), with passenger versions possibly following soon after.

Chrysler Focuses on the Future of our Environment

Chrysler's internal research and development for the evolution of electric-drive production is Called ENVI. ENVI (for ENVIronmental) is developing electric-drive systems for future Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. "ENVI was created just over one year ago with the strategic intent to develop electric-drive vehicles quickly for Chrysler, and it is surpassing expectations," said Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President Chrysler LLC. "With ENVI, Chrysler is developing technology to bring Electric Vehicles and extremely fuel-efficient Range-extended Electric Vehicles to market."

Chrysler CEO and Chairman Bob Nardelli States in a press release: "We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer. The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market."

Electric Drive Motor Technology

The electric vehicle technology is made of 3 primary sources. These include an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, a controller that manages energy flow and an electric motor to drive the wheels. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications. "This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150- to 200-mile driving range, far exceeding most Americans' daily commutes, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President Product Development, Chrysler LLC. "Electric Vehicles provide the opportunity to fulfill social responsibility, reduce dependency on foreign oil, and eliminate monthly gasoline bills, while delivering performance and utility that our customers desire."

Electric Vehicle with Range Extension

The Range-extended Electric Vehicle combines the electric-drive components of the Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today's gasoline-powered vehicles with no compromises in performance. Range-extended Electric Vehicles offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, comfort or utility. 

Chrysler and its ENVI organization have new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles, Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge.

Chrysler will select one electric-drive model at a later date which will be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. Additionally, approximately 100 Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets in 2009.

Chrysler says that it is well into the development of advanced, production-intent electric vehicles. It will apply electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.

'This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150- to 200-mile driving range far exceeding most Americans' daily commutes, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President Product Development, Chrysler LLC. Range-extended Electric Vehicle Technology.

Future Techniques for Energy Storage Technology

Chrysler and General Electric are currently working on a project with the United States Department of Energy to explore future techniques for energy-storage technology.

"Chrysler's partnership with General Electric combines the electric-drive technology demonstrated in the Chrysler Electric Vehicles, with GE's research and development of advanced energy storage systems," said Klegon. "Our collective goal working with the DOE is to develop a new, integrated energy-storage system to make electric vehicle battery packs smaller and significantly less expensive than current designs." 

Chrysler and GE will research and design dual-battery solutions based on GE's unique technology.

"One of the challenges with electric vehicles is finding a battery with the correct balance between power for example, during vehicle acceleration and energy for long driving range," said Klegon. "We believe that combining two unique battery chemistries, one biased toward power and the other toward energy, into a single battery pack is very promising for a future Chrysler Electric Vehicle."

Read a history of the Town & Country for a look back on where it all began. Optimizing technology to meet the future needs of drivers is surely a focus for Chrysler going forward. A technological pioneer for years, Chrysler is indeed embracing the future with their ENVI technologies. This is a new and quite profitable direction for the family vehicle to head. Research and development is currently underway with production scheduled to begin later in 2009 for the 2010 new car season. For more pictures and info, click here.