Just a few days ago, A123 and Chrysler announced that Chrysler will be using A123Systems batteries in the car makers new ENVI electric vehicle(EV) extended range EV line.  The ENVI line of cars includes a few of Chrysler’s larger models.

Should Chrysler complete its planned alliance with Fiat and remain afloat, Chrysler has five electric vehicles in the works, the first of which is expected to be on the market in 2010.  Three more vehicles will be ready for market in 2013.  Those vehicles will be powered by A123Systems batteries.

The vehicles range from Chrysler’s Jeep line to a new sporty Dodge Circuit.  The five vehicles are: the Dodge Circuit EV, the Jeep Patriot EV, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV, the Chrysler Town and Country EV, and the Chrysler 200C EV. 

Most of these are the large cars that most Americans prefer.  Rather than going smaller with a longer range, Chrysler will continue to produce larger vehicles like SUVs and minivans.  Presumably Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat will provide smaller cars that will round out the fleet. 

As with most of the electric vehicles planned in the U. S., Chrysler’s EVs will have a range of 40 miles before they need a charge.  For most driving in the U.S. that would be plenty but for traveling long distances, Chrysler has included an extended range version of the cars.  The extended range cars incorporate a small gasoline engine that after the initial 40 miles will kick in and recharge the battery while allowing an additional 360 miles for a total of 400 miles before plugging it in.

The models vary between front wheel and rear wheel drive meaning that the technology has to work for both scenarios.  An electric engine runs either the front or rear wheels with battery pack running the length of the undercarriage.  Extended vehicles have a small gasoline engine placed near the electric motor.  A system controller is placed about mid chassis.

Because A123Systems batteries are not the bulky blocks that you see in current automobiles but are long cylindrical batteries, multiple batteries will fit easily in the undercarriage of a car.  The unique shape of these batteries make them perfect for Chrysler vehicles.  The batteries will not infringe on either trunk or passenger space.

As with much of the new battery technology in the U.S., the nanophosphate electrode technology was developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  The nanophosphate electrode was developed using nanoscale materials.  Since Dr. Yet-Ming Chiang, a co-founder of the company, is also a professor in the Material Science and Engineering Department at MIT, it is possible that the latest nanoscale breakthroughs will make it to A123Systems.

Having an electric car that is ready to debut in 2010 sounds wonderful.  However, the question remains: Will Chrysler still be in business then?  If not then the partnerships with Fiat and A123Systems will die before they ever take off.

Related:

Entry was posted on Thursday, April 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pm under Auto, Green Technology.

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