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By John O'Dell, Senior Editor


Chrysler says the future has a plug on it and that, with a plug-in hybrid drive system, even its Dodge Ram pickups can find a home in the new world of high fuel economy and low greenhouse gas emissions.


We predicted as much last month, and this evening the company proved us right, saying it wants to spend $448 million to speed development and manufacture of plug-in and extended-range electric vehicles and has asked the federal government for $224 million in matching-fund grants to help with two programs.



Chrysler, which is in bankruptcy but is expected to emerge under the control of of Italy's Fiat, said it and a number of so-far unidentified partners would provide $224 million in matching funds


The bulk of the requested federal funding, $183.5 million, would be used for a $365 million demonstration project in which Chrysler would field "at least" 100 plug-in hybrid EV Town & Country minivans, 100 plug-in hybrid Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks and 165 all-electric Town & Country minivans (above) in several test fleets.


Manufacturing Center


The remaining federal funds, if the grants are approved, would be used for development and construction of a "vehicle electrification technology and manufacturing center."


The center, to be located in Michigan, would house facilities for developing, testing and manufacturing electric drive components and for assembling rechargeable battery EVs and range-extended EVs (so-called series hybrids which use an internal combustion engine to generate power for an electric drive system).




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Tags: Chrysler, Dodge, Hybrid, Plug-ins and Electric, Chrysler Electric Vehicles, Chrysler Plug In Hybrids

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Chrysler Seeks Federal $ For Plug-in Pickups, Electric Minivans and EV Batteries; Development Facili was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.