| Car buyers around the world are now looking | | | | powerful and weighs considerably less than |
| for fuel efficient vehicles, and this demand | | | | the usual nickel-metal hydride battery. This |
| has led car manufacturers to develop fuel | | | | means that the plug-in vehicles will also |
| efficient vehicles. | | | | weigh less when compared to a similar vehicle |
| | | | equipped with a nickel-metal hydride battery |
| DaimlerChrysler, one of the major players in | | | | pack. The lighter the vehicle, the less |
| the global auto scene, is currently expanding | | | | power it needs to drive it which means that |
| its advanced propulsion technology program to | | | | the switch to lithium-ion batteries will |
| include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. | | | | indirectly reduce the amount of fuel consumed |
| The newest addition to the group's lineup of | | | | by the internal combustion engine. |
| fuel efficient vehicle is the plug-in Dodge | | | | |
| Sprinter hybrid electric vehicle. | | | | The development of batteries is the most |
| | | | common issue being looked into by car |
| Through the first quarter of 2008 from today, | | | | manufacturers developing hybrid electric |
| twenty of the aforementioned vehicles will be | | | | vehicles. Mark Chernoby, the Vice President |
| tested by consumers in the United States. | | | | for Advanced Vehicle Engineering for the |
| DaimlerChrysler is the only car maker to | | | | Chrysler Group, says that: "For plug-in |
| evaluate their plug-in hybrid vehicles by | | | | hybrid technology to move forward, a dramatic |
| letting their customers themselves have a go | | | | leap in battery technology is necessary." He |
| at it. | | | | further emphasized the battery technology |
| | | | being used by the Dodge Sprinter plug-in |
| Four of the said vehicles are already in the | | | | hybrid. "The energy storage systems in the |
| hands of customers and are being tested for | | | | Dodge Sprinter PHEV concept fleet will |
| their real-world performance. These vehicles | | | | provide valuable field experience on the |
| feature advanced battery technology and a | | | | possibilities with lithium-ion battery |
| hybrid drivetrain configuration which | | | | technology," says Chernoby. |
| pertains to an electric motor that provides | | | | |
| the additional power to its small internal | | | | The plug-in technology will greatly increase |
| combustion engine. | | | | the fuel efficiency of hybrid vehicles since |
| | | | vehicles with this technology can |
| The vehicles are equipped with a small engine | | | | conveniently recharge its battery pack via a |
| which will be available either in gasoline or | | | | common household power outlet. The plug-in |
| diesel fuel configuration. Of course, diesel | | | | Dodge Sprinter hybrid is reported to have the |
| engine will give consumers the better fuel | | | | ability to travel up to 20 miles on battery |
| efficiency of the two engines. Diesel's | | | | power alone. For some motorists, that is |
| ability to provide huge amount of energy and | | | | enough to cover their mileage in a day. That |
| its relatively cheaper price compared to | | | | means that they may not even consume a drop |
| gasoline makes it the obvious choice for | | | | of fuel in a day. |
| those who wants to save cash on the pump. | | | | |
| | | | This technology needs more improvements so |
| Aside from the efficient gasoline or diesel | | | | that consumers can easily afford these |
| engines, the plug-in 2007 Dodge Sprinter | | | | vehicles as they can easily afford to buy |
| hybrid will be featuring a Lithium-ion | | | | replacement Volvo shocks when the old ones |
| battery pack. Li-ion as it is called is more | | | | wear out. |