(January 21, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chrysler and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this week announced a partnership to determine the possibility of adapting a hydraulic hybrid system for large passenger cars and light-duty vehicles.

The announcement was made at the EPA laboratories in Ann Arbor, Mich., following a meeting with Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group CEO, and Lisa P. Jackson, Agency Administrator for the EPA.

“In addition to creating the jobs of the future, clean energy benefits the U.S. economy by ultimately making energy costs more affordable for consumers — especially if their dollars stay in America,” Marchionne said. “Hydraulic hybrid vehicle technology is one more promising path worth pursuing in the effort to reduce our carbon footprint, and we are excited to partner with the EPA to push forward on this track.”

"By 2013 we will have one of the most fuel-efficient fleets," Marchionne said in announcing a demonstration fleet of up to 20 hydraulic hybrid Chrysler Town & Country minivans. Fuel economy on the minivans should improve 60 percent in city driving and 30 percent to 35 percent overall.

Chrysler Group CEO Sergio
Marchionne and EPA Administrator
Lisa P. Jackson announce partnership.

The minivans, equipped with 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engines, will be evaluated from November through July 2012 to see whether production is warranted. Marchionne said the next-generation minivan will be developed to accommodate the system, if it's viable.

"Hydraulic hybrid vehicles represent the cutting edge of fuel-efficiency technology and are one of many approaches we're taking to save money for drivers, clean up the air we breathe and cut the greenhouse gases that jeopardize our health and prosperity,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “The EPA and Chrysler are working together to explore the possibilities for making this technology affordable and accessible to drivers everywhere. This partnership is further proof that we can preserve our climate, protect our health and strengthen our economy all at the same time."

The system uses hydraulic fluid, pumps and motors — as opposed to electric motors and batteries — to recover energy when a vehicle brakes. The resulting hydraulic pressure propels the vehicle.

A hydraulic system costs substantially less than hybrids with batteries, said Paolo Ferrero, Chrysler's head of powertrain operations.