• Detroit Free Press, Monday, July 14, 2008 11:15 AM

Chrysler has launched a special division called ENVI -- pronounced "envy" -- to bring electric-drive vehicles and related advanced-propulsion technologies to market. "ENVI is currently developing electric vehicles for the three Chrysler brands and is planning on product within three to five years," says spokesman Nick Cappa.

The move comes as some dealers quietly question why Chrysler is not stepping up efforts to bring more hybrid technology to market quicker in light of $4-a-gallon gasoline and tanking SUV and truck sales. Some say they've been told not to expect the bulk of the automaker's lineup to have a hybrid option in the near future.

Chrysler has given few details about what its ENVI will produce, but Cappa says it will play a deeper role than many people think. "If you want to go ahead and make everything a full hybrid system, fine, but what if you can turn everything into a range-extended vehicle and take it beyond the 2020 campaign for 35 miles per gallon?" Cappa asks, suggesting Chrysler aims to do just that.

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