Electric cars set to hit the market in 2010

Media Credit: Jill Weaver / Daily Vidette Photographer
Sam Leman dealership located on Commerce Parkway in Bloomington will carry the new electric cars designed by Chrysler in the year 2010.


Chrysler's new electric car models are set to come out in 2010 for consumers. General Motors Corporation has planned its electric car release for November of 2010, and Chrysler executives claim they will release their model at about the same time.

Three models make up its line of electric vehicles, a Dodge performance sports car, a Jeep Wrangler and a Chrysler minivan. The order in which they will become available has not been announced.

"There is a two-door Dodge sports car that's all electric," Cole Quinnell, communications manager for Chrysler, said. "The other two are a Chrysler minivan and Jeep Wrangler which can go 40 miles on all electric power with a gasoline generator to extend the driving range to 400 miles."

Based on Lotus Europa foundations, the sports car model will be completely electric. The Wrangler and minivan will be considered "extended range" vehicles, similar to the GM Volt model.

"Extended range vehicles can travel 400 miles, while the sports car is set to go about 150 to 200 miles on a full charge," Quinnell explained.

On battery power, these vehicles can travel 40 miles until a small gasoline engine begins the recharging process.

"Both types of vehicles are designed to charge about six to eight hours on a 110 standard household volt outlet," Quinnell said. "If your house is equipped for 120 volts, it cuts the time in half to about four hours of charging time.

"One of these three will be the first three to market and we're developing a portfolio for future development," Quinnell said. "One model is front wheel drive, one is rear wheel and one four wheel so the technology applies to every car we make."

Chrysler has not said how many models will become available to consumers.

"The release will be relatively low volume but we expect it to increase," Quinnell said.

Congress has considered sponsoring a $25 billion loan program for automakers to start more energy efficient research and electric car production.

This money could potentially be used for modernizing plants, research, production and new parts. Similar to the new full-size electric vehicles, Chrysler plans to release a very small "neighborhood electric vehicle," which travels close to 30 miles on just electricity.

"There are no true all electric cars for sale in the U.S.," Andrew Friske, a freshman business management major, said. "Newer diesel cars are cleaner and get better gas mileage."

Since the electric models plug into standard wall outlets, the money consumers spend on gas may likely be put toward the house's electric bill.
source:dailyvidette