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Envi (automobile)

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ENVI
Company typeDivision
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2007
DefunctNovember 2009; 15 years ago (2009-11)
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Auburn Hills, Michigan
,
United States
Area served
U.S.
ProductsElectric-Drive Vehicles
ParentChrysler

ENVI was a division of American automobile manufacturer Chrysler formed in 2007 to create electric-drive vehicles and related advanced-propulsion technologies.[1]

Birth and dissolution

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Chrysler announced the formation of ENVI in September 2007. It was headed by Lou Rhodes who had formerly been in charge of "Advance Vehicle Concepts and Innovation" at Chrysler Group LLC.[1][2] The group was dedicated solely to creating production vehicles, and not basic engineering research. "ENVI" was derived from "ENvironment" and "New Vehicles."[3]

Chrysler's new owner Fiat SpA disbanded the division in November 2009, removed the three ENVI models from its 5-year plan for Chrysler, and Chrysler announced Lou Rhodes will become the group line executive in charge of electric car development for both Fiat and Chrysler.[4] The first electric vehicle planned from Fiat-Chrysler is an electrified Fiat Doblò light commercial van.[5]

Planned products

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In September 2008, ENVI revealed three "production intent" electric vehicles to the public and announced that Chrysler Group LLC would start bringing a portfolio of electric vehicles to showrooms in 2010. The vehicles were the electric-only Dodge EV sports car (based on the Lotus Europa S), the range-extended Chrysler EV minivan (two examples: one on static display, based on the Chrysler Town & Country, and a running development mule based on the Mercedes B-Class), and the range-extended Jeep EV (based on the Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited, running rear-wheel-drive only).[3] All used advanced lithium-ion batteries,[6] and the two range-extended models had a small gasoline engine to power an electric generator, providing a claimed all-electric range of 40 miles (64 km) and an extended range of 400 miles (640 km).[3] At the time Chrysler said it was investigating in-wheel motors and dual battery chemistries.[7] In addition, a neighborhood electric vehicle named the PeaPod based on the existing GEM was announced.[8]

The ENVI group announced it was also creating a new hybrid vehicle from "the ground up", designed in the same manner as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Chrysler LLC Creates ENVI" (Press release). Chrysler LLC. 2007-09-13. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-11-17. Nardelli, LaSorda Announce New Chrysler Organization Focused on Electric-drive Vehicles
  2. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (September 13, 2007). "Chrysler sees E-Flex attention, decides to get ENVI!". Archived from the original on 2 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Chrysler ENVI Electric-Vehicle Plans Revealed". Motor Trend. September 23, 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  4. ^ Kevin Kroliki (2009-11-06). "Chrysler dismantles electric car plans under Fiat". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  5. ^ Alisa Priddle (2009-11-10). "Chrysler revamps electric program". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2009-11-17.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ Mike Ellis (2008-09-23). "Chrysler Goes Electric - First Electric Vehicles on Roads Next Year". Chrysler LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  7. ^ "Chrysler Unveils Production-Intent Electric Drive Technology; Three Prototypes, One to Be Produced in 2010". Green Car Congress. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  8. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam. Recharging the Car: Chronicling the development of the Chevrolet Volt. ISBN 9781461168904. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
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