ENVI was a

division Division or divider may refer to: Mathematics *Division (mathematics), the inverse of multiplication *Division algorithm, a method for computing the result of mathematical division Military *Division (military), a formation typically consisting ...

of American automobile manufacturer

Chrysler Stellantis North America (officially FCA US and formerly Chrysler ()) is one of the " Big Three" automobile manufacturers in the United States, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is the American subsidiary of the multinational automoti ...

formed in 2007 to create electric-drive vehicles and related advanced-propulsion technologies.

Birth and dissolution

Chrysler announced the formation of ENVI in September 2007. It was headed by Lou Rhodes who had formerly been in charge of "Advance Vehicle Concepts and Innovation" at

Chrysler Group LLC Stellantis North America (officially FCA US and formerly Chrysler ()) is one of the " Big Three" automobile manufacturers in the United States, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is the American subsidiary of the multinational automoti ...

. The group was dedicated solely to creating

production vehicle Production vehicles or production cars are mass-produced identical models, offered for sale to the public, and able to be legally driven on public roads ( street legal). Legislation and other rules further define the production vehicle within part ...

s, and not basic engineering research. "ENVI" was derived from "ENvironment" and "New Vehicles." Chrysler's new owner

Fiat SpA Fiat S.p.A., or ''Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino'' (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin), was an Italian holding company whose original and core activities were in the automotive industry, and that was succeeded by Fiat Chrysler Automobi ...

disbanded the division in November 2009, removed the three ENVI models from its 5-year plan for Chrysler, and Chrysler announced Lou Rhodes will become the group line executive in charge of electric car development for both Fiat and Chrysler. The first electric vehicle planned from Fiat-Chrysler is an electrified

Fiat Doblò The Fiat Doblò is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle produced by Italian automaker Fiat since 2000. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2000. A second-generation Doblò succeeded the original vehicle in 2010 for most markets ...

light commercial van.

Planned products

In September 2008, ENVI revealed three "production intent" electric vehicles to the public and announced that Chrysler Group LLC would start bringing a portfolio of electric vehicles to showrooms in 2010. The vehicles were the electric-only Dodge EV sports car (based on the

Lotus Europa S The Lotus Europa S (Type 121) is a two-seat mid-engine sports car, designed to be a more toned down and comfortable variant of the driver focused Lotus Elise and its derivative, the Exige. The Europa S is a modern version of the Europa line of t ...

), the range-extended Chrysler EV minivan (two examples: one on static display, based on the

Chrysler Town & Country The Chrysler Town & Country is a minivan that was manufactured and marketed by Chrysler from 1990 to the 2016 model years. The third of the Chrysler minivans introduced, the 1990 Town & Country shared its nameplate with the flagship Chrysler st ...

, and a running development mule based on the Mercedes B-Class), and the range-extended Jeep EV (based on the

Jeep Wrangler The Jeep Wrangler is a series of compact and mid-size four-wheel drive off-road SUVs manufactured by Jeep since 1986 and is currently in its fourth generation. The Wrangler JL, the most recent generation, was revealed in late 2017 and is produ ...

JK Unlimited, running rear-wheel-drive only). All used advanced

lithium-ion batteries A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also se ...

, and the two range-extended models had a small gasoline engine to power an electric generator, providing a claimed all-electric range of and an extended range of . At the time Chrysler said it was investigating in-wheel motors and dual battery chemistries. In addition, a neighborhood electric vehicle named the PeaPod based on the existing

GEM A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, or semiprecious stone) is a piece of mineral crystal which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli, opal, a ...

was announced. The ENVI group announced it was also creating a new

hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids. The basic princip ...

from "the ground up", designed in the same manner as the

Toyota Prius The is a car built by Toyota which has a Hybrid vehicle drivetrain, hybrid drivetrain, combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door Sedan (automobile), sedan, it has been produced only as ...

and

Honda Insight The is a hybrid electric vehicle that is manufactured and marketed by Honda. Its first generation was a two-door, two passenger liftback (1999–2006) and in its second generation was a four-door, five passenger liftback (2009–2014). In its ...

References

{{Chrysler Group LLC Chrysler Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States American companies established in 2007

Birth and dissolution

Planned products

See also

References