Chrysler Pulls Plug on Test Fleet of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles for Now

Just the Facts:

• Chrysler on Friday said it is withdrawing from service its test fleet of advanced plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, including the Ram PHEV, because three of the pickup trucks were damaged when their prototype lithium-ion batteries overheated.
• There were no injuries and the incidents occurred as the vehicles were unoccupied, Chrysler said.
• In April, Chrysler said the fleet, which includes 109 Ram pickups and 23 Chrysler Town & Country plug-in hybrid minivans, was undergoing "real-world testing and evaluation."

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan ? Chrysler on Friday said it is withdrawing from service its test fleet of advanced plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, including the Ram PHEV, because three of the pickup trucks were damaged when their prototype lithium-ion batteries overheated.

There were no injuries and the incidents occurred as the vehicles were unoccupied, Chrysler said.

"Three of the fleet's 109 pickups equipped with plug-in hybrid powertrains sustained damage when their prototype 12.9-kWh lithium-ion propulsion batteries overheated," said Chrysler in a statement on its corporate Web site.

In April, Chrysler said the fleet, which includes 109 Ram pickups and 23 Chrysler Town & Country plug-in hybrid minivans, was undergoing "real-world testing and evaluation."

Word of the interruption in testing is seen as a setback for the alt-fuel program which is jointly funded by Chrysler Group and the U.S. Department of Energy.

"This action is being taken to build upon the lessons from the initial deployment and to concentrate resources and technical development on a superior battery," said Michael Duhaime, Chrysler global director of electrified powertrain propulsion systems.

Chrysler said no similar issues have occurred with the plug-in hybrid minivans.

The ambitious program was being watched closely. Some of the fleet's plug-in pickup trucks were said to be capable of transferring power from their batteries to the grid, which could generate revenue for fleet operators. The trucks also are able to link with each other to form independent mini-grids.

Edmunds says: With luck this is a minor setback that will result in a better battery.

Source: http://www.insideline.com/chrysler/chrysler-pulls-plug-on-test-fleet-of-plug-in-hybrid-vehicles-for-now.html

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