Improving Fuel Economy And Range

Chrysler LLC is focused on improving fuel efficiency across its vehicle lineup. We have been busy developing and implementing a series of major initiatives including a bigger push in hybrid technology to meet the needs of our consumers.

Recently Chrysler LLC, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and BMW joined forces to develop a full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) achieve significant gains in fuel efficiency by combining powertrain systems, typically an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Batteries store energy captured during deceleration and braking. That energy is then used to drive the electric motor, reducing the work required by the gasoline or diesel engine. This hybrid represents a major automotive industry milestone due to the unprecedented fully integrated combination of electric motors with a fixed-gear transmission. As a result of its low- and high-speed Electric Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) modes, the system is commonly referred to as the two-mode hybrid.

However, this sophisticated fuel-saving system also incorporates four fixed-gear ratios for high efficiency and power-handling capabilities in a broad variety of vehicle applications. During the two ECVT modes and four fixed-gear operations, the hybrid system can use the electric motors for boosting and regenerative braking.

The first Chrysler LLC product to feature this technology is the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, which could deliver around approximately a 50 percent improvement in city fuel economy and more than almost 35 percent improvement overall.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Transport Canada test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption may vary.