2010 Jeep Patriot
2010 Jeep Patriot EV Preview
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The Jeep Patriot EV became the fourth confirmed electric vehicle from Chrysler, who has promised to produce at least one of its vehicles from its ENVI division by 2010. The Chrysler ENVI group is a division set up to run electric vehicle development. The other ENVI vehicles are the Dodge Circuit sports car, Chrysler Town and Country MPV, and a Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Patriot electric sport-utility vehicle demonstrates Chrysler's ability to be diversified, while appealing to a wide range of consumers. Adding an electric SUV to their lineup would no doubt appeal to a swath of Americans wanting to drive a big vehicle, but increasingly unwilling to pay the associated gas bills. The Jeep Patriot EV will fit under Chrysler's extended-range vehicle scheme. Those vehicles can travel 40 miles (64 km) on battery power alone, with the ability to motor for 400 miles (643 km) on a single tank of gas. While the electric vehicle market is not large, there are certainly competitors for the ENVI vehicles. GM will release the Chevrolet Volt in 2010, and Nissan intends to release a production electric vehicle next year as well. Toyota will ship 150 units of the Toyota Prius as a plug-in hybrid this year, with an all-electric version due out in 2012. Chrysler knows it is important yo be a part of this ‘future of vehicles’ segment and are counting on designs like the Patriot EV to make a place in the market. After all, who wouldn’t want a socially responsible, advanced electric technology in the industry's most capable compact SUV?
Jeep Patriot Power
The Jeep Patriot EV uses an electric-drive motor, 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. Range-extended Electric Vehicles provide customers a no-compromise means of dramatically reducing their gasoline use and carbon footprint. The Jeep Patriot EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.
Patriot EV Design
The Jeep Patriot EV features a refined and clean front appearance to match the refined and clean powertrain. The signature Jeep grille features vertical accents, and the front fascia is a separate component to help set the grille apart. The use of body-color paint, blended with matte black B- and C-pillars, visually creates a smooth and elongated profile. The unique wheel design and size gives the Jeep Patriot EV a wide stance which combines with the paint treatment to produce a sporty form. The Jeep Patriot EV features a new ENVI Green Pearl exterior with a prominent "EV" graphic adorning both sides - top-to-bottom - of the vehicle.
Cabin Features
The interior of the Jeep Patriot EV features all of the elements introduced in the refreshed 2009 Jeep Patriot. There are two rows of seats which provide room for five. The new instrument panel, door trim, soft-touch armrests and LED instrument gauges that were added to the ’09 Patriot will likely carry over to the 2010 Patriot EV. The Patriot's cargo volume is less than both its competitors. Cargo volume behind the rear seat is 23 cubic feet, 54.2 cubic feet with the standard 60/40-split folding rear bench down. The folding rear bench has a reclining option, and there's an optional passenger seat that folds forward for a flat surface.
Driving the Patriot EV
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. While four wheel drive is not currently available for the electric Patriot, there is certainly a goal to develop this and
engineers are working to harness the full power of the electric engine. For now, though, the 2010 Patriot EV is an all wheel drive vehicle. 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.
About ENVI
ENVI is Chrysler's internal research and development for the evolution of electric-drive production. ENVI (for ENVIronmental) is developing electric-drive systems for future Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. Chrysler has promised at least one production ENVI vehicle by 2010, and more to come in the next few years. 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. The 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.
Summary
While the 2010 Jeep Patriot EV is still in its concept state and will likely not be available for a few year, it is a highly anticipated production vehicle, thanks in part to the face that the conventional Patrioti is one of the most capble and popular compact SUV. It will be interesting to see how the Patriot EV fits into the rest of Jeep’s traditionally ‘off-road’ capable lineup. Additionally to the consumer available ENVI vehicles, approximately 100 Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets in 2009. Read coverage of the Jeep Patriot EV at the Detroit Auto Show more more information.
