Chrysler to Produce Fiat 500 EV for 2012

Today, Chrysler announced it will produce a plug-in electric version of the Fiat 500 starting in 2012. The Fiat 500, which is powered by a traditional gasoline engine, is a Mini Cooper competitor that will go on sale at the end of this year.

Chrysler says all development for the Fiat 500 EV will take place at the company’s Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters. Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa says there is no announcement of a federal loan along the lines of the ones GM, Ford and Nissan have secured from the U.S. Department of Energy. Nissan alone received a $1.4 billion loan for its Leaf all-electric vehicle.

“If there’s a possibility of securing [a similar loan], chances are we’re looking into it,” Cappa said.

This is not the first time Chrysler has promised electric vehicles. In 2008 — pre-bankruptcy and pre-Fiat alliance — it launched an alternative fuel onslaught under the banner ENVI, complete with three concepts that would later grow to five. The first was to go on sale by the end of 2010. Late in 2009, the Fiat-led Chrysler “absorbed” the ENVI group. Cappa says ENVI was an R & D exercise, and the automaker needed to focus on production, which is why those engineers were reassigned.

“Everyone from that group is still here and we’re hiring more,” Cappa said. And what of those promised concepts from 2008? “Is there technology from them that we’re using for the Fiat 500 EV? Absolutely, yes.” Cappa pointed to the Fiat 500 EV concept shown at this year’s Detroit auto show (above) as a case in point. It was a fully functional prototype running on ENVI-developed technology.  

Comments

The less an electric vehicle weighs, the better its range.
The only way to get lighter is to remove steel, but steel is needed to absorb collision energy.
The collision death rate of micro vehicles is double that of mid size vehicles.

I have invented a way to make vehicles lighter and safer at the same time.
It will help electric vehicles become lighter and get better range.

In a few weeks I will be granted a US patent for this invention.
My website is www.safersmallcars.com

Please help me promote this invention that can save lives and reduce CO2 emissions.

The Fiat 500 looks great! Nice to see Chrysler making friends with A123 Systems for the lithium-ion batteries that will make their cars, trucks, and minivans green.

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The Fiat patent fraud. About the Fiat hybrids, the technology double clutch with electric motor between has been stolen by a patent that Fiat Company has never wanted to purchase, but only shamelessly to copy. This hybrid solution will be the basic technology with Chrysler's electric and hybrid car program. Please give a look in my blog where her "vitality" and boldness of the Fiat planners it appears in all of evidence: http://dualsymbioticelectromechanicalengine.blogspot.com/
If the industries can afford unpunished to copy the ideas and defending it need very expensive trial, to which target need the patents? How our young people can find intellectual courage if the economic potentates crush the rights of the single ones? How to defend the rights of private inventors? Whoever is about to ask for a patent or wants to propose a proper patent to a great firm I suggest to give a look to my experience with the Fiat, to get able to operate with best adroitness. Thanks and good time to everybody. Ulisse Di Bartolomei