Chrysler Testing Plug-In Hybrids

Ever since the ENVI electric car program was terminated back in 2009 when Chrysler became bankrupt, there wasn't much activity on electric or alternative fuel vehicles. They were having a hard time just selling gasoline powered vehicles (Hahaha!!!). Anyways, now the plug-in hybrid Town & Countries are undergoing testing by Duke Energy in Charlotte.

Right now, there are merely eight vehicles of this type. Chrysler plans to build 25 for fleet use. In the next two years, Chrysler engineers will receive data from the white rat vehicles for further use on perhaps a production electric/plug in hybrid car in the far future.

These special minivans use the regular 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6 found in many other Chrysler products. However, a electric motor fuel by a 12.1 kilowatt-hour Li-ion helps propel the car forward. Total range is said to be over 700 miles, and charging time using a 220-volt outlet is 2 to 4 hours while using a household outlet triples those numbers.

What's also worth mentioning is that Chrysler is testing a fleet of Ram plu-in hybrid trucks as well.

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