Chrysler Town and Country EV

I had the opportunity to test drive a Chrysler Town and Country EV at an auto show for upcoming hybrid vehicles recently. I have never really been much for the minivan experience, but when the prospect to check out an electric car, I jumped at the chance. From all of the literature I was given, the Chrysler Town and Country EV will go about 40 miles on full electric mode.

The Chrysler Town and Country EV is first and foremost a minivan. I know the first thing most people think of with a minivan is soccer moms, and screaming kids. To some degree this is true, but I was looking for an economical vehicle to save money on the rising cost of gas.

(Yes, I realize the price of gas is actually dropping at the moment, but I have a feeling that is not going to last.)

The Chrysler Town and Country EV is a lot roomier in the inside than you might think. The seats slide, and fold down so you can transport the whole ball team or its equipment. You can get seven people into the Chrysler Town and Country EV, but they had better be really good friends. Actually five or six adults would be relatively comfortable, but for a family of two adults and two or three kids the interior has plenty of room.

Performance of the Chrysler Town and Country EV is much better than I remember from the last minivan I drove. The electric motor provides the equivalent of 268 horsepower. SO when you step on the accelerator, it will get into passing gear rather easily.

The Chrysler Town and Country EV's gasoline engine is a small 98 horsepower generator engine. When the power depletes from the electric motor, then the gas engine will kick in. The gasoline engine mode will not only get you moving, but it also charges the electric motor. According to Chrysler, the range of the Chrysler Town and Country EV is 400 miles on a tank of gas, combined with the electric motor.

So where can you buy the Chrysler Town and Country EV? At the moment, there is nowhere, as sadly it is only a concept car. Chrysler is developing the Chrysler Town and Country EV to compete with the 2011 Chevy Volt.

With people clamoring for an end to dependence on foreign oil, the Chrysler Town and Country EV is a step in the right direction. I for one would seriously consider the Chrysler Town and Country EV.