Passing power at up to 40 miles the Jeep Ev, then kicks in hybrid mode, where the generator produces electrical energy directly to the electric motor when needed. Any extra energy during braking situations or off the throttle will be routed to the batteries.
The real challenge for Chrysler tech engineers is to build an electric vehicle Jeep guys won't dismiss. What they've come up with so far is a Wrangler Unlimited that uses an electric motor to drive the rear wheels, lithium-ion batteries to store the energy, a super-computer controller to manage the energy flow, and a small engine/generator needed to produce power when storage ratings in the batteries fall below 30%.
Full Review 2010
Running on full electric power for up to 40 miles the Jeep EV then acts something like a hybrid, where the generator produces power directly to the electric motor as needed. Any extra energy during braking or off-throttle situations will be routed into the batteries. The gasoline tank (which can also hold E85 fuel) will allow the vehicle to travel, depending on the types of loads and environmental conditions, an extra 400 miles or so. In addition, because of the capabilities of the on-board dual-voltage generator, the Jeep EV can have a 15-amp 110/120-volt outlet as well as a household 30-amp 220/240-volt power outlet.
Acceleration in the Jeep EV is strong and smooth, ramping up power progressively where the vehicle just keeps pulling up the speedometer at an almost unnerving pace. The navigation screen itself allows for several different screens to help the driver monitor all sorts of vehicle parameters like battery temperature, power levels, strength, range, charge/discharge direction, and more.
In the 2WD vehicle we drove, there was nothing that made the vehicle look or act compromised, with the exception of noise and absence of a transmission. Additionally, under the hood was tons of room to store various gear and tools, or mount a winch.
A Promising Future
Jeep's foray into the electric vehicle is one of the bullet points of its future propulsion strategy, and based on the information we have, we feel that the future is full of promise for Jeep. The real challenge, though, is for Chrysler tech engineers to build an electric vehicle Jeep enthusiasts won't pass over. What they've come up with so far is a Wrangler Unlimited that uses an electric motor to drive the rear wheels, lithium-ion batteries to store the energy, a super-computer controller to manage the energy flow, and a small engine/generator needed to produce power when storage ratings in the batteries fall below 30%.
An Electric Style
Moving on full electric power for up to 40 miles the Jeep EV then kicks into hybrid mode, where the generator produces power directly to the electric motor as necessary. The Jeep EV packs a punch with strong and smooth acceleration, ramping up power progressively where the vehicle just keeps pulling up the speedometer at an almost unnerving pace. The nav screen itself allows for several different options to help the driver monitor all sorts of vehicle parameters like battery temperature, power levels, strength, range, charge/discharge direction, and more.
During driving, the added weight underneath the vehicle helps to take away some of the Wrangler's usual "tippy" feel when cornering at higher speeds. Of
course, all test driving was done on pavement, but the Jeep guys said this vehicle has to be able to do everything people expect a Jeep to do if it's going to be a success. In fact, we've been hearing that a pair of wheel-mounted electric motors could work on a future model to make the SUV more trail capable, but the computer power needed to make the front and rear motors sync is prohibitive.
ENVIronmentally Focused
ENVI which takes it's name from the first four letters of ENVIronmental is Chrysler's foray into the electric vehicle realm. ENVI's variations on this "updated" electric theme appear on three different platforms-front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive-and from all three brands: Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep.
The other technology ENVI developed went into the Chrysler and Jeep products: the Town & Country minivan and Wrangler. While the Dodge is called "electric," these two are referred to as "range-extended electric." Chrysler uses the word "modularity" here-as in, the minivan and Wrangler can share hardware (let's hope the electric power train is the only modularity mentioned for these two in the future). The small engine and electric generator are there for up to 400 miles of refueling/recharging freedom. The EV's is significantly lower; the battery pack is axle height. Chrysler swears an electric vehicle is going to be available to the public in 2010 (like the Volt). It could be another front-, rear-, or four-wheel-drive Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep product. Wrangler is somewhat of a throwback, with live axles, mechanical locking differentials, and part-time four-wheel-drive systems.
There will be plenty of debate about making a Jeep as rugged and trail-fixable as a conventional Jeep. Will the average Jeep buyer be interested? We're not so sure, but no doubt there will be early adopters that will get tons of exposure, and maybe, over time, as the power trains prove themselves safe, watertight, and mud-proof, there may be a place for this kind of technology for the casual bad-weather Jeep guy.
