Disclaimer: The ENVI models featured on this page, including the Jeep Patriot EV, are concept vehicles that are still in the developmental stages. They are not currently available in the U.S. market or at dealerships.

 The Electric Vehicle vs Hybrid Vehicle Faceoff

There is no doubt about it; automakers know they must come up with a solution to produce vehicles that get better mileage and are less polluting.  Although none of the big automakers are going to stop making ICEs (Internal Combustion Engines) any time soon, they are reaching out to a new way of powering cars.  While hybrids have been proven successful and have become a standard in the market today, electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be another option as an up and coming 'green' vehicle.  Some automakers have tossed away their electric car projects to develop hybrids. On the other side, electric proponents affirm that electrics make more sense (environmentally, politically and economically).  And one automaker, who has chosen to invest heavily in EVs, rather than hybrids, is Chrysler LLC.  The ENVI division has been established specifically to develop EV vehicles.  Furthermore, Chrysler has promised to put into production at least one of its ENVI cars by 2010.  So how does a hybrid and an electric match up? Both certainly have pros and cons, but the bottom line is we now have two technologies which are revolutionizing the way we think about cars and the impact they have on the environment.

ENVI Vehicles

ENVI represents the first four letters of 'environment', and this is the Company's in-house organization that was formed to focus on electric-drive production vehicles and related advanced technologies. The development of electric-drive systems for future Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles has been a priority for the company, with its progress moving quickly.  Chrysler LLC announced that the Company and its ENVI organization will roll out an advanced electric-drive technology vehicle for each of its brands, Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge. So far, Chrysler has introduced the Dodge Circuit EV, Jeep Wrangler EV, Chrysler Town & Country EV, Chrysler 200c EV Concept, and most recently shown, the Jeep Patriot EV.  While they have promised to ready one of these by 2010, they have not said which one it will be.  All of the ENVI vehicles except the Circuit are considered to be Range-extended Electric Vehicles, which 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.  The Dodge Circuit is unique even among its ENVI siblings because it is the only all-electric vehicle in the ENVI family, packing zero tailpipe emissions. In Chrysler's words, they "have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles".  Considering Chrysler's bold ambitions, this is likely a glimpse into the future of vehicles, and it is likely that other automakers will follow suit, especially if Chrysler's EV vehicles are a success. 

Hybrid Vehicles

The boom in hybrids started with the introduction and success of the Toyota Prius.  Today, there are more than ten hybrid models on the market, and the number is increasing every year, from sedans, to SUVs, even pickup trucks, there is a hybrid  models for just about every vehicle type today.  A hybrid vehicle attempts to significantly increase the mileage and reduce the emissions of a gas-powered car while overcoming the shortcomings of an electric car.  The gasoline-electric hybrid car is just what it sounds like -- a cross bet ween a gasoline-powered car and an electric car. Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles typically are priced higher than non-hybrid counterparts  anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to several thousand dollars. In the working, the starting up and low pace of the car is used up with the electrical energy and the gasoline engine will come to the scene in the higher speeds. The effective computer programs efficiently balance the switching over process between the gasoline and electrical energy. To boost up the efficiency factor, the engine size is minimized and the body is made with light weight materials in an aerodynamic drag reduction design.  The real advantage is that the electrical energy does not require a recharge since it is automatically recharged with regenerative braking.

Two Green Vehicles: The Jeep Patriot EV and the Ford Escape Hybrid

The Jeep Patriot EV uses an electric-drive motor, advanced lithium-ion battery system and a small gasoline engine with an  integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. Range-extended Electric Vehicles provide customers a no-compromise means of dramatically reducing their gasoline use and carbon footprint. The Jeep Patriot EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation, all on a single tank of gas.  The Patriot EV can be recharged over night with a standard electric plug. While the electric vehicle market is not large, there are certainly competitors for the ENVI vehicles. The Jeep Patriot EV features a refined and clean front appearance to match the refined and clean powertrain. The signature Jeep grille features vertical accents, and the front fascia is a separate component to help set the grille apart. While the Jeep Patriot EV is still in its concept stat and will likely not be available for a few years, it is a highly anticipated production vehicle, thanks in part to the face that the conventional Patriot is one of the  most capable and popular compact SUV.  It will be interesting to see how the Patriot EV fits into the rest of Jeep's traditionally 'off-road' capable lineup.

 
The 2009 Escape Hybrid's 153-horsepower gasoline engine uses the Atkinson-cycle combustion process for greater fuel efficiency. Combining two electric motors with the standard Escape 2.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine, the Escape Hybrid gets an estimated 35 mpg and performs as well as the 200-hp V-6 ve rsion.  One motor drives the wheels on the Escape hybrid, the other starts the engine and manages the transmission's ratio.  The Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission, also known as a CVT that optimally matches the power and gearing.  Compared to the conventional Escape that runs on the Otto cycle, the Atkinson cycle runs more efficiently, using less air and fuel, but also reduces engine horsepower, and that's when the electric motors kick in.  Electric motors improve fuel economy in city driving, allowing the vehicle to be powered by electric power only, and also by capturing energy more efficiently. For more details on the Escape Hybrid, click here.

Conclusions

With increased awareness of the damage gasoline driven vehicles do to the environment and the rising price of gasoline, Americans today are looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles. The bottom line with hybrids is that they are a proven and widely used technology.  Also, they do not need to be plugged in, due to a recharge through regenerative braking.  Read here for Chrysler LLC's press release of the Patriot EV.  Hybrids do, however, still use gasoline, just less of it. Electric Vehicles have certainly not reached the point of hybrids.  But automakers, such as Chrysler LLC, are pushing the technology and research needed to make electric vehicles a reality.  With the promise of an ENVI vehicle by 2010, the reality of EVs on the market is nearing.  Only time will tell how successful and accepted they will be.  But 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions? This goes beyond what any hybrid can do.