|
Chrysler is
pushing forward with the development of a
new generation of electric-powered cars
under the ENVI name. The Dodge Circuit EV
(above) was previewed earlier this year at
the Detroit Motor Show. |
|
|
|
Chrysler has welcomed President Obama's
announcement today of a framework for a single
national approach for fuel economy and
greenhouse gas standards which will end years of
wrangling between carmakers, the U.S. federal
government and the state of California. Carmakers will
now need
to meet a fuel economy target of 35.5 miles per
gallon by 2016, which is four years sooner than
this legislation had been scheduled to be
introduced.
"We thank the
Administration for their leadership," Chrysler said in a
statement. "Today’s announcement begins an important process
of harmonising state and federal fuel economy programs.
Chrysler has long been an advocate for a national approach
to fuel economy as the most effective way to help the nation
achieve energy security and environmental sustainability.
With regulatory clarity and certainty, Chrysler and its
alliance partner, Fiat, will now be able to concentrate
their resources on developing a nationwide fleet of clean,
fuel-efficient vehicles that will help support its
revitalization and benefit American consumers.
"These
fuel-efficient vehicles will feature both improvements to
conventional technology and technology that is entirely new.
For example, Chrysler will soon introduce an all-new,
high-volume V6 engine that will deliver up to 8 percent
improved fuel economy across the company’s current vehicle lineup. Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat will initially deliver
consumers a world-class small engine and overall powertrain
technology that will rapidly bring to market even more
fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly small cars.
"Chrysler’s
entirely new technology will be found in vehicles developed
by ENVI, an organization within Chrysler that is focused on
electric vehicles as its primary clean-vehicle technology.
Chrysler’s product plan includes the introduction of several
production electric vehicle models by 2013. We look forward
to working with the Obama administration and others as this
process moves forward toward an outcome that is economically
and environmentally sustainable," the Chrysler statement
concluded.
|