Chrysler unveils three new electric cars

Hot on the heels of the unveiling of the Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler has revealed its plans for electric cars, with two 'extended range' vehicles and one all-electric sportscar part of the company's near future.

Although none of the vehicles will be available to buy before 2010, Chrysler hopes to offer electric technology in each of its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands and yesterday demonstrated a prototype vehicle from each.

The Chrysler EV is based on the Town & Country MPV (sold in Europe as the Grand Voyager). It combines a 255bhp electric motor and lithium-ion battery with a small petrol engine, though the latter is only used to create electricity when the battery runs low on charge.

Chrysler claims that this EV (electric vehicle) can operate for 40 miles on electric power alone, and then consumes the equivalent of 60mpg while the engine is producing electricity.

Identical figures are quoted for the Jeep EV, which is based on the four-door Wrangler Unlimited. Though the subject of how the electric power is distributed to all four wheels has yet to be addressed, Jeep is said to be looking at in-wheel electric motors.

The most exciting of the prototypes will be familiar to sportscar fans. A two-seat coupé bearing the name 'Dodge EV' is clearly a rebadged Lotus Europa.

Its stats sound remarkably similar to those of the Tesla Roadster, with electric-only propulsion, 268bhp and a range of 150 to 200 miles. Performance is brisk too, with 0-60mph in less than five seconds and a top speed of 120mph.

Chrysler claims that it will put 100 electric vehicles into the hands of trial fleets next year and that its first electric car will go into production in 2010.

Shane O' Donoghue