Envi (automobile)
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Lou Rhodes |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Fate | Dissolved after Fiat acquisition; projects cancelled |
| Parent | Chrysler Group LLC |
ENVI was a specialized unit within the American car manufacturer Chrysler, created in 2007 with the mission to develop electric propulsion vehicles and cutting-edge propulsion systems.
Establishment and termination
In September 2007, Chrysler introduced ENVI, placing Lou Rhodes—previously head of "Advance Vehicle Concepts and Innovation" at Chrysler Group LLC—in charge. The division's primary objective was the development of production electric vehicles, with "ENVI" symbolizing "ENvironment" and "New Vehicles."
After Fiat SpA took ownership of Chrysler, ENVI was dissolved in November 2009. Fiat eliminated the three ENVI vehicle projects from Chrysler’s five-year roadmap and assigned Lou Rhodes to oversee electric vehicle initiatives for both Fiat and Chrysler. The initial electric model under this directive was an electrified version of the Fiat Doblò light commercial van.
Proposed models
In September 2008, ENVI revealed three electric vehicles intended for production, outlining Chrysler Group LLC's ambition to introduce a range of electric cars by 2010. This collection included the fully electric Dodge EV sports car (derived from the Lotus Europa S), the range-extended Chrysler EV minivan (with a static prototype based on the Chrysler Town & Country and a running test vehicle based on the Mercedes B-Class), and the range-extended Jeep EV (modeled on the Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited, featuring rear-wheel drive only). Each model utilized advanced lithium-ion battery technology; the two range-extended variants incorporated a small gasoline engine that powered an electric generator, offering an advertised all-electric driving distance of and an overall range of . Chrysler was also investigating in-wheel motor systems alongside dual battery chemistry solutions. Furthermore, a neighborhood electric vehicle named PeaPod, based on Global Electric Motorcars, was announced.
ENVI also declared plans to create a new hybrid vehicle developed entirely from the ground up, adopting a strategy similar to that of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.