2010 Jeep Patriot EV Preview

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Jeep, in glamorous fashion, unveiled the Patriot EV at 2009's Detroit Auto Show. Like the Wrangler EV seen in July, the Patriot is an extended-range electric vehicle. Based on the front-wheel-drive Patriot, power comes primarily from a lithium-ion battery pack, which drives a 150 kW (200 hp) electric motor.

Currently in development, the Jeep EV is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future of a 'Go Anywhere, Do Anything' vehicle with renowned Jeep Wrangler capability.  

The Jeep EV takes advantage of the newest technology utilizing an electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed.  "We are also exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of ENVI's advanced electric-drive technologies," said a representative for Jeep.

The instant high torque of the electric-drive motor and the ability to precisely control each wheel independently results in off-road capability ideally suited for the Jeep brand, without compromising on-road driving capability.

ENVI Organization

Chrysler's internal research and development for the evolution of electric-drive production is Called ENVI. ENVI (for ENVIronmental) is developing electric-drive systems for future Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. "ENVI was created just over one year ago with the strategic intent to develop electric-drive vehicles quickly for Chrysler, and it is surpassing expectations," said Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President Chrysler LLC. "With ENVI, Chrysler is developing technology to bring Electric Vehicles and extremely fuel-efficient Range-extended Electric Vehicles to market."

Electric Vehicle Technology

The electric vehicle technology is made of 3 primary sources. These include an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, a controller that manages energy flow and an electric motor to drive the wheels. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications. "This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150- to 200-mile driving range far exceeding most Americans' daily commutes, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President Product Development, Chrysler LLC. "Electric Vehicles provide the opportunity to fulfill social responsibility, reduce dependency on foreign oil, and eliminate monthly gasoline bills, while delivering performance and utility that our customers desire."

Range-extended Electric Vehicle Technology

The Range-extended Electric Vehicle combines the electric-drive components of the Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today's gasoline-powered vehicles with no compromises in performance. Range-extended Electric Vehicles offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, comfort or utility.

Chrysler and its ENVI organization have new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles, Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge.

Chrysler will select one electric-drive model at a later date which will be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. Additionally, approximately 100 Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets in 2009.

Chrysler says that it is well into the development of advanced, production-intent electric vehicles. It will apply electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.

'This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150- to 200-mile driving range far exceeding most Americans' daily commutes, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year,' said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President Product Development, Chrysler LLC. Range-extended
Electric Vehicle Technology.

The Range-extended Electric Vehicle combines the electric-drive components of the Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today's gasoline-powered vehicles with no compromises in performance.

Range-extended Electric Vehicles offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, comfort or utility.

Department of Energy Cooperative Agreement

Chrysler and General Electric are currently working on a project with the United States Department of Energy to explore future techniques for energy-storage technology.

"Chrysler's partnership with General Electric combines the electric-drive technology demonstrated in the Chrysler Electric Vehicles, with GE's research and development of advanced energy storage systems," said Klegon. "Our collective goal working with the DOE is to develop a new, integrated energy-storage system to make electric vehicle battery packs smaller and significantly less expensive than current designs."

Chrysler and GE will research and design dual-battery solutions based on GE's unique technology.

"One of the challenges with electric vehicles is finding a battery with the correct balance between power for example, during vehicle acceleration and energy for long driving range," said Klegon. "We believe that combining two unique battery chemistries one biased toward power and the other toward energy into a single battery pack is very promising for a future Chrysler Electric Vehicle."

Chrysler has been a pioneer of technology in the past and is indeed embracing the future with their ENVI technologies, and the Patriot EV is now a part of it.  This is surely a new direction for the off-road vehicle to head. Research and development is currently underway with production scheduled to begin later in 2009 for the 2010 new car season. View coverage of the Patriot EV at the Detroit Auto Show.