July 27th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Chrysler has sent out a brochure which proclaims, “Watch for one of these exciting new models to appear in 2010.” Pictured are the Dodge EV, Chrysler EV, and Jeep EV – modified versions of a Lotus (Dodge Circuit), Town & Country minivan, and Jeep Wrangler.
The Dodge and Chrysler are most likely to reach production quickly. The minivan is the target of a Post Office grant, and is probably the easiest to modify given the space available; while the Dodge Circuit could be built in small numbers by Lotus or at Conner Avenue, and is less complex given the lack of a range extender.
Chrysler built Dodge and Plymouth electric minivans in the 1990s, some of which remain on the road. (Thanks, MooseEater.)
July 16th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
“Mooseater” passed along a news bulletin which announced a series of measures called “1 in 20 by 2020″ designed to result in 5% of the province’s vehicles being electric within 11 years. Ontario is home to the Canadian headquarters of Chrysler, GM, and Ford.
Included in the plan is a mass purchase of electric vehicles for the Ontario Public Service fleet, with a target of 20% electrics in that fleet by 2010; rebates of up to $10,000 for plug-in hybrids and full-electric vehicles purchased after July 1, 2010; a focus on building infrastructure, with government-owned (and transit system) parking lots getting charging stations and working with private industry for more charging arrangements; and special green license plates for plug-in hybrids and EVs allowing use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes until 2015, along with access to some public recharging facilities. Some private companies and the University of Toronto will designate priority parking for these vehicles.
The license plate design will be voted on by the public, via the Ministry of Transportation’s website.
Chrysler plans to build electric minivans in Windsor, Ontario, and may build electric passenger cars (a version of the 200C) in Bramalea, Ontario; the company said it expected to have 500,000 electric vehicles in use by 2013 (including GEMs). Canada-based Magna International has developed an electric system which will reportedly be used by Ford, and GM has been touting its custom-designed Volt; import carmakers have electric vehicles on tap as well.
Chrysler also built a successful range of electric minivans for fleet use, through the 1990s.
