Chrysler has unveiled three plug-in prototypes, an all-electric sports car, electric minivan, and a Jeep outfitted with range-extending petrol engines that it intends to introduce to the market in 2010.
This brings the US auto manufacturer into line with General Motors and Toyota who have also promised plug-in electric cars for release in two years time.
However, Chrysler said only one of the three models will be produced for North American drivers in 2010 and later introduced to European markets.
Other models could be introduced at a later date and Chrysler said it expected to expand its offerings of electric vehicles in the coming years.
"We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer," Chrysler chairman and chief executive officer Bob Nardelli said.
The all-electric sports car, dubbed the Dodge EV, would have a continuous driving range of just 240 to 320 kilometres but would have enough power under the hood to go from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in less than five seconds.
The Jeep and minivan would have a range-extended electric engine that promises zero tail pipe emissions and a range of up to 64 kilometres on electric power and up to 640 kilometres with the addition of about 30 litres of fuel.
These vehicles could be recharged at home, plugged into a standard household outlet for four to eight hours.
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