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Chrysler Looks At Different Type Of Hybrid

by Jeff Gilbert
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter

(Ann Arbor--WWJ) Chrysler is working with the federal government on a project that could someday take a technology that's starting to save fuel in big trucks, and use it to make passenger vehicles more fuel efficient.

Hydraulic hybrids store some of the energy given off while a vehicle is being driven, and use that energy when extra power is needed, during acceleration, and while the vehicle is starting from a stop.  Those are the times when any vehicle has its worst fuel economy.

"Developing a hydraulic hybrid minivan has the potential to improve overall fuel economy by thirty to thirty five per cent," said Environmental Protection Administration Administrator Lisa Jackson, in making the announcement at the EPA's laboratories in Ann Arbor.

Jackson was joined by Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, who said that they need to look at all types of technologies, as they look to meet higher fuel economy standards, not just electric vehicles and electrically based hybrids.

"Electric vehicles have an important role to play in improving fuel economy and reducing emissions, but they are not the single solution," Marchionne said.

The hydraulic hybrid system is fairly large, so that's why it's being tested in a minivan.  Chrysler engineers say it would fit in the engine compartment and not take away valuable cargo space.  However a hydraulic hybrid system is significantly less expensive than today's electric hybrids.

Chrysler will make about a dozen minivans with this system to test out.  They should be on the road next year, and Marchionne says, it shouldn't take long to tell whether the system is reliable enough and smooth enough to meet passenger needs.

"If it does work, and it provides the benefits that we think it will provide, it is something that needs to become one of the elements through which, and not the only one, that will allow us to get to the EPA target."

Car companies fleets need to average 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, nearly ten miles per gallon more than they average today.  Long term goals are being debated, but it's likely they will have to meet a target of between 47 and 62 miles per gallon by 2025.

Michigan's new Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley at the ceremony, praising Chrysler for looking at building a large, fuel efficient vehicle.  He says he couldn't fit his family of five into a small car.

"This is the sort of thing that I've personally been looking for," he said.  "This is the sort of innovation that in this country, and in this state, has a real market."

Chrysler is also waiting for word on federal loans that will help it develop more fuel efficient vehicles.  Ford and Nissan received loans from that program a year and a half ago.  But, Chrysler and GM weren't eligible because they weren't considered viable at the time.

Now, they meet the proper criteria, but are still waiting for word.

"Am I concerned about the fact that this thing is taking longer than I thought," said Marchionne.  "The answer is absolutely yes."

However, the Chrysler CEO said he still believe that it's more likely than not that his company will get the loan money—estimated at four billion dollars—that it's seeking. 

The money is supposed to be used to develop fuel efficient vehicles, or convert plants to production of vehicles that have better fuel efficiency.  Marchionne says some programs that Chrysler wants to purse are on hold until they get word on the loans.

"There's a point of time when I have to go back into my kitty, and use other funding to do this,  which is not a good answer.  That was not the purpose of the DOE (Department of Energy) funding.  The DOE funding was to encourage innovation in energy."

follow Jeff Gilbert on Twitter @jefferygilbert

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