Chrysler to develop Fiat 500EV

The Chrysler Group LLC has announced that it will use the Fiat 500 platform to develop and produce a pure electric vehicle. The Fiat 500EV, shown at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, is already a product of the recently formed Alliance between Chrysler Group and the Fiat Group.

“The alliance with Fiat presented new opportunities to merge Chrysler Group engineering knowledge with new platforms and the Fiat 500EV is an outstanding example of our efforts,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President Engineering—Chrysler Group LLC. “The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology.”

The Fiat 500EV engine will feature a high power electric powertrain module, advance lithium ion battery, and an EV control unit to manage power flows. The pure-electric vehicle should start being produced by Chrysler for the American market in the beginning of 2012, with all the powertrain engineering and vehicle development taking place Auburn Hills, Michigan.

In the Chrysler/Fiat Alliance the American group has assumed responsibilities for the vehicle electrification. Chrysler has been investigating forms of zero-emission transportation promotion and the development of an electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.