GHG Emissions, Commercial, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  August 7, 2017

Maserati to enter electric vehicle market

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will push for greater electric power within its vehicle fleet, spearheaded by a new electrified Maserati predicted to hit the market in 2020.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne announced in late July the company’s commitment to an electric portfolio starting with the roll out of the electric Maserati, USA TODAY reported July 29.

“I think we’re now in a position to acknowledge that at least one of our brands, and in particular Maserati, will, when it completes the development of its next two models, effectively switch all of its portfolio to electrification,” Marchionne reportedly said during a conference call with investors, comparing its electric vehicle work to that of Tesla.

Marchionne also said Fiat Chrysler Automobiles would begin to see more than half of its portfolio using some form of electric power by 2022, according to USA Today, adding that the Maserati brand is moving its North American headquarters from New Jersey to Auburn Hills, Mich.

According to the report, the shift in the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles business plan toward the electrification of its fleet comes from growing issues with diesel engines, despite past hesitation from the automobile brand to enter the realm of electrified vehicles.

“Automakers have been hammered by allegations of diesel emissions cheating this year, which has sullied the reputation of clean diesel technology as companies try to meet emissions requirements,” the newspaper reported.

But Marchionne said the main issue blocking an all-electric luxury fleet from becoming a reality is the cost of electrification, which has historically kept electric vehicles it from being accessible to many consumers.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will also begin to expand its electric plans to its other brands, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Dodge, according to a report by Autocar Magazine. The magazine also reported that Maserati will start the electric roll out by hybridizing several of its current models, including the Levante SUV model, which the company plans to offer in 2019.

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