“America’s Only Plug-In Hybrid Minivan” – Chrysler
“Offering electric when you want it, and gas when you need it, you can kiss range anxiety goodbye in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Available on all models including Pinnacle, the exceptional and efficient Hybrid powertrain delivers a pure electric range for local driving and gas range for extended excursions, so you have the freedom to go wherever you want–near or far.”
Video – The Ultimate Minivan for Cyclists?
Is this the Ultimate Minivan for Cyclists? JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew thinks so, it checks / ticks a lot of boxes that most cyclists may find desirable. These vans are not cheap, but with the potential for a $US 7,500 tax credit on the purchase of a new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan, the sticker price becomes a little easier to accept.
Vehicle Features
- 32 Miles of Electric Driving Range (JOM has been averaging about 36 – 38 Miles per charge).
- 488 Miles of Gasoline Driving Range.
- 520 Miles Total Driving Range.
- Carries lots of bikes inside the van, dependent on seat configuration. Three will easily fit inside with wheels on, and 1 x 2nd-row seat present.
- No Rack Needed – Hitch racks disrupt vehicle aerodynamics and negatively impact your miles per gallon / kms per litre.
- Bikes inside the van keep them safe from the elements and lower the chance of theft.
- Car Camping! With just the front seats in place, there is a ton of room. For car camping, two bikes could easily be stored inside the van, with plenty of room for camping mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, etc, for two people. I’ll demonstrate my car camping setup in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan sometime soon.
- A ton of tech.
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It has everything a van should have to make it a great user friendly vehicle.
But. The guys on the car review You Tube Channel ,Savage Geese , have a startling opinion after giving it a great review. I was surprised about their great review. But not their final opinion.
My wife has one and we can haul up to three bikes holding them on a board with three fork mounts (one for thru axle) with the middle seats up. Our tandem will fit in the center with the rear wheel extending between the rear seats. For tall riders, it is hard to get the bikes in and out due to the height of the saddles. However, this vehicle does have a number of design issues: nearly all controls are handled by the display making it as unsafe to drive as if texting, the nav system is terrible and can’t be programmed while driving, the gear selector is flimsy and does not always respond immediately, there is no spare tire or even a jack, etc. So yes, it is a quirky, fuel efficient bike hauler.
Does it not charge the battery while operating under gas power?
I believe some charging happens in that manner, along with the regen stuff from braking / coasting, etc.