This doesn't mean Chrysler isn't still working on electric cars, but as Kicking Tires points out, they're just not working on the three battery-electric vehicles — the ENVI program — they unveiled to great incredulity at this year's Detroit Auto Show are DOA. [Automotive News, Kicking Tires]

Chrysler's been adamant that the Circuit EV program wasn't killed back in May and Car and Driver has now uncovered a few more details of the program. They sat down with Chrysler ENVI president Lou Rhodes to discuss various details of the ENVI program is progressing.

In a similar move to Tesla, and one that makes perfect sense; Lotus will produce the Circuit EV in the UK and then ship it to the U.S. for installation of Chrysler's electric powertrain. That powertrain has yet to reach a final build spec as they are undergoing constant modifications including a recent advancement that has cut the 0-60 mph time by nearly half a second.

Chrysler has stated a sales target of 100,000 for their full range of ENVI vehicles, enough to make a decent return on all the costly technology in place. With those numbers, Chrysler could potentially undercut the theoretically similar Tesla Roadster by "tens of thousands" of dollars.

We've been slightly suspicious of the Circuit EV ever since its initial debut, but if Chrysler can pull it off along with the rest of the ENVI program then color us impressed. [Car and Driver via All Cars Electric via Autoblog]

Chrysler has submitted proposals for the DOE's "Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative" and the "Transportation Electrification Initiative." Combined, the two programs sit with a grand total of $448 million in total budget and would essentially fund Chrysler's EV development program. How so? Well, they'd use the money to build a mix Dodge Ram PHEV's, Chrysler Town and Country PHEV's, and Town and Country EVs; in total about 365 cars. Those cars would be distributed to select owners and fleets for durability and data collection.

So basically the similar to what GM, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda and pretty much everyone else has been doing for the last few years.

As we mentioned last night, the Circuit EV is basically a Lotus Europa with some body work and the mysterious Chrysler EV pack. The similarity, especially given the small size, is undeniable up close. We'll get into the "engine bay" if it isn't glued shut.

On Tuesday, we told you Dodge was prepping a more Dodge-like EV for the Detroit Auto Show. That original Dodge EV was just a Lotus Europa with the Lotus badges pried off and Dodge's rams glued in their place. There were apparently some batteries too. So on Tuesday we speculated that "more Dodge-like" meant they’d pried off the Lotus grille and swapped it with a crosshair item. We present the Dodge Circuit EV.

But that’s not the whole story, the Circuit isn’t just a restyled Europa, it’s a restyled Europa with an electric motor that Chrysler will never produce. Why? The combination of Lotus Europa and prototype electric drivetrain would prove far too expensive both to develop and to sell to customers. The Tesla Roadster, which is only now reaching customers after two and a half years of delays, is based on the cheaper Lotus Elise and still retails for a shocking $109,000.

So why build it? To convince investors, dealers, tax payers and the government (there’s a shocking overlap among those groups) Chrysler has some sort of future. Whether or not it does will depend on much more realistic products than the Circuit.

The full press release, complete with made up numbers, follows:

Dodge Circuit EV

• Dodge Circuit EV: Brand new version of all-electric sports car boasts unique, fearless Dodge design
• All-electric vehicle delivers sports car performance with zero gasoline consumption, zero tailpipe emissions and 150-200 mile driving range

The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.

The Dodge Circuit EV design screams pure sports car from every angle. The Dodge Circuit EV’s profile demonstrates perfect proportions for balanced handling, placing the driver and passenger midway along the wheelbase. At the front of the vehicle, the distinctive Dodge crosshair grille splits the wind, sending it over the long, low hood and cleanly over the windshield and cockpit. The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth and also a functional rear-brake air duct. At the rear, the functional elements blend with design to create a uniform finish.

“The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment.”

The Dodge Circuit EV is adorned in all-new “Tangoreen” exterior color, wearing large “EV” graphics on both sides of the sports car.

The uncomplicated interior of the Dodge Circuit EV delivers a combination of pure function and athletic refinement. The cockpit design puts complete control of the car at the driver’s fingertips. Nestled within a leather-covered instrument cluster are two primary analog-face gauges. A digital display conveys information regarding the electric-drive system.

The seats feature deep bolsters and are covered in premium leather. The same premium leather covers the center console and the width of the instrument panel.

The Dodge Circuit EV delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control.

Propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, the Dodge Circuit EV posts impressive performance numbers:

• 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds
• _-mile in 13 seconds
• Top speed of more than 120 mph

Perhaps the most impressive Dodge Circuit EV number, however, is zero. That’s how much gasoline the vehicle consumes while providing exhilarating sports car performance. It’s also how much tailpipe emissions are produced.

The Dodge Circuit EV utilizes just three powertrain components. These include a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of 150 to 200 miles between charges – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

The Dodge Circuit EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.

Dodge Circuit EV – Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Type Battery Electric Vehicle,
2-passenger performance coupe

Weight and Dimensions
Length 153.5 inches / 3900 mm
Width 67.5 inches / 1714 mm
Height 45.3 inches / 1150 mm
Wheelbase 91.7 inches / 2330 mm
Track front / rear 57.4 inches / 1457 mm 58.7 inches / 1490 mm
Turn circle 38.0 feet / 11.6 m

Powertrain and Suspension
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Motor Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
Regenerative braking
Battery Lithium-ion battery
Suspension Front - Independent
Rear - Independent

Wheels and Tires
Tire size front P195 / 45ZR17 23.9 inches / 607 mm
Tire size rear P235 / 40ZR18 25.4 inches / 645 mm

Color Scheme
Exterior Tangoreen
Interior Black Leather with Satin Silver accents

Key Performance Attributes
0-60 mph (0-100 kph) less than 5 seconds
Standing _-mile low-13 seconds
Top speed greater than 120 mph (approximately 193 kph)
All-electric range 150-200 miles (approximately 241-322 km)

[Source Of The Embargo Break: AutoblogGreen]

Well, we don’t know for sure. First unveiled in September, the Dodge EV was the first of four smoke and mirrors-like electric concept vehicles developed by Chrysler’s ENVI program. Allegedly, the company claims it'll have one electric vehicle on the road in 2010. To cut costs, instead of developing an all-new model it’s looking to drop some batteries into an existing vehicle. In the EV’s case, that vehicle is the Lotus Europa.

Since that time Chrysler chose to unveil its future product line to a selection of media outlets that purposefully excluded Jalopnik readers. We'd been told one of the vehicles included was an electric version of the Jeep Patriot, but we'd also been told to expect a concept vehicle to be unveiled at Detroit. We guess this is it.

Now, according to the real journalists over at Automotive News, Chrysler plans to show off an updated EV in Detroit next week:

The Dodge EV shown in September was a Lotus-derived electric sports car. Look for the show version to have more Dodge styling cues and possibly be a four-passenger coupe.

Since the Dodge EV was basically just a Lotus Europa with batteries, it stands to reason a four-seat coupe version would be based on the four-seat Lotus Evora. “More Dodge styling cues?” We’re guessing that means they’ve grafted on a crosshair grille.

Is it just us, or is everyone sick of Lotus-based smoke and mirrors electric sportscars? Thankfully, Lotus says it’s developing its own EV, possibly in time for the Geneva Motor Show. [source: Automotive News]

If it hadn’t been sporting the huge Dodge graphics, we could have easily mistaken this for a Lotus Europa; which it really is, yet isn’t. Seriously though, which is it? Chrysler feels your pain (and lots of its own) and has fortunately taken the time to give the little EV a recognizable face comprised of the signature Dodge cross-hair grille, a pair of foglamps and unique headlamps. We expect the Dodge EV to take inspiration from the 2007 Dodge Demon concept in its front-end styling and remain virtually unchanged in its side profile. Fortunately for Chrysler, the Europa somehow managed to resemble a Dodge from the rear, so we’re not expecting any changes from the original Lotus design of the tush-end.

Will this piece of putative vaporware actually make it to production? We can’t say. Given Chrysler’s current financial situation, we don’t think a two-seat electric sports car is the best plan for a Pentastar that, given a few months time, could be Penta-gone.

We can't help but point out that this statement came the same day that Tesla announced it was going to scale back Tesla Model S production plans until a government loan guarantee becomes effective. Though we fully believe that the Model S from Tesla is undergoing development and have our doubts about the electric Chryslers, this does seem a bit like the electric pot calling the electric kettle black.

• Recharge on standard home 110/220 current — full charge in four hours on 220 or eight hours on 110.
• Eschews the Hemi engine for a lithium-ion battery pack.
• 0-to-60 time in under five seconds.
• Range of 150-200 miles.
• Unlike the Tesla, based on the Lotus Elise, the Dodge ev looks to be based on the Lotus Europa.