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If you're Chrysler and the subject is alternative powertrains and fuel economy, you take your victories where you can.


These days, the company is trumpeting the environmental benefits of its Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) division, which makes low-speed battery-electric cars, called NEVS, or neighborhood electric vehicles.


GEM has cumulatively sold 40,000 units, resulting in what Chrysler says is a savings of almost 20 million gallons of gasoline.


The numbers qualify as great news for a company whose financial troubles have caused it to lag behind competing U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford in adopting and developing hybrid and battery-electric technologies.


Chrysler, which had the worst average fuel economy of the U.S. companies for the '08 model year, has slowed its previously announced vehicle electrification schedule and now intends to meet 2016 federal fuel-efficiency standards mainly by utilizing internal combustion engine efficiency technologies developed by new majority owner Fiat and by adding more small cars to its lineup.
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Tags: Chrysler, Plug-ins and Electric, Chrysler, GEM, Global Electric Vehicles, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, NEVs

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Chrysler's Electrification Strategy Goes Downscale, But It's a Real GEM was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.