Dodge EPIC

The Chrysler TEVan had been in development since before 1990, when a prototype was shown to journalists;{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5uMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 |title=Electric Van Enters Production |date=March 1990 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |page=17 |access-date=31 May 2024}} the battery electric drivetrain was reused for the concept EPIC, which was shown first at the 1992 North American International Auto Show.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/114744599/ |title=Big 3, automakers plugging in to electric car idea |agency=Gannett |date=March 8, 1992 |newspaper=Poughkeepsie Journal |access-date=29 May 2024 |url-access=subscription}} The styling was considered futuristic at the time; unlike contemporary, boxy minivans, the EPIC had a streamlined, oval body, which inspired the design of the third generation of the Chrysler minivans.

The concept EPIC appeared in the first episode of the 1994–1999 NBC TV series Viper.{{cite web |url=https://www.imcdb.org/m108983.html |title=Viper, TV Series, 1994-1999 |website=Internet Movie Cars Database |access-date=31 May 2024}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = {{ubl|

• Dodge Caravan EPIC
• Plymouth Voyager EPIC

}}

| image =1999 Dodge Caravan EPIC.jpg

| caption =Dodge Caravan EPIC

| manufacturer =

| model_code =

| aka =

| production =

| model_years =1997–2004

| assembly =Windsor Assembly

| designer =

| class =

| body_style =

| layout = FF

| platform =Chrysler minivans (NS)

| related =

| transmission =Single-speed

| motor = AC synchronous

| battery = PbA or 360 V NiMH{{cite web |url=http://www.media.chrysler.com/wwwfacts/26d6.htm |title=Chrysler Corporation EPIC Minivans: Fact Sheet |date=1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303154321/http://www.media.chrysler.com/wwwfacts/26d6.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2000 |url-status=dead |publisher=Chrysler Corporation}}

| range =

| electric_range = {{cvt|80–90|mi}} (NiMH)

| charging = 208–240 VAC or 440 VDC

| wheelbase = {{cvt|113|in|mm|0|order=flip}}

| length = {{cvt|NNN|in|mm|0|order=flip}}

| width = {{cvt|NNN|in|mm|0|order=flip}}

| height = {{cvt|NNN|in|mm|0|order=flip}}

| weight = {{cvt|NNN|-|NNNN|lb|kg|0|order=flip}}

| predecessor =

| successor =

| sp = us

}}

In 1993, Chrysler began producing the TEVan for fleet sales. This was a version of the contemporary second generation Caravan with an electric drivetrain; approximately 50 were built before production was discontinued in 1995.{{cite news |url=https://www.theautopian.com/chrysler-made-a-rare-electric-minivan-in-the-1990s-and-you-can-own-one-of-them-today/ |title=Chrysler Made A Rare Electric Minivan In The 1990s, And You Can Own One Of Them Today |first=Mercedes |last=Streeter |date=January 25, 2023 |work=The Autopian |access-date=29 May 2024}}

A battery electric variant of the short-wheelbase third generation Chrysler minivans was introduced in 1997 for lease to fleets as the Dodge Caravan EPIC and Plymouth Voyager EPIC,{{cite web |url=https://www.batterytechonline.com/automotive-mobility/chrysler-s-epic-original-battery-electric-minivan |title=Chrysler's EPIC Original Battery-Electric Minivan |first=Dan |last=Carney |date=October 8, 2023 |work=Battery Technology |access-date=31 May 2024}} taking the EPIC suffix from the earlier 1992 concept, equipped with high-voltage lead acid batteries. The first 17 Dodge Caravan EPIC minivans were delivered to government clients in California by June 1997: six to Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme, five to March Air Force Base, four to McClellan Air Force Base, and two to Southern California Edison.{{cite press release |url=http://www.media.chrysler.com/wwwpr97/2626.htm |title=Chrysler delivers electric minivans to government fleet customers |date=June 16, 1997 |publisher=DaimlerChrysler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991104040336/http://www.media.chrysler.com/wwwpr97/2626.htm |archive-date=November 4, 1999 |url-status=dead}} Fewer than 20 were leased with the lead-acid batteries. In 1998, nickel metal-hydride ({{chem|Ni|M|H|link=Nickel metal hydride battery}}) batteries were fitted with production scheduled to begin in October,{{cite report |url=https://avt.inl.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/fsev/epic_nimh_report.pdf |title=Performance characterization: 1999 Chrysler EPIC with Saft nickel/metal-hydride battery |first1=Ben |last=Sanchez |first2=Juan |last2=Argueta |date=November 1999 |publisher=Southern California Edison |access-date=29 May 2024}} and it was offered for lease to fleets in New York and California starting with the 1999 model year.

Production ceased in 2003. The batteries were removed from the fifty EPICs produced that year; the vehicles were crushed and scrapped before any were sold.

Chrysler Corporation reportedly had plans to reintroduce a battery electric minivan, as shown by concepts it developed after purchasing Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) in 2000, such as the Chrysler EV and Chrysler ecoVoyager. The van would have specifications that were similar to the EPIC. Chrysler killed off the plan in 2011, and sold its GEM brand to the ATV and snowmobile manufacturer Polaris shortly after.{{cite news |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/chrysler-owned-gem-sold-polaris-43283/ |title=Discharged: Chrysler Sells Off Electric GEM Subsidiary |first=Erick |last=Ayapana |date=April 26, 2011 |work=Motor Trend |access-date=31 May 2024}}

The TEVan was fitted with a DC traction motor which was manufactured by General Electric, featuring an output of {{cvt|70|hp}} peak, {{cvt|35|hp}} continuous. The motor was coupled to a two-speed FWD trans-axle that featured Hi, Lo, Reverse and Park. The TEVan was equipped with either lead-acid or nickel-iron battery chemistries.{{cite web |url=https://www.motales.com/cars/alternate-fuels/electric-minivans.php |title=Electric minivans (the originals): TEVan and EPIC |first=David |last=Zatz |work=MoTales |access-date=31 May 2024}}

The concept EPIC used the same drivetrain as the TEVan; as equipped with the nickel-iron cells, the vehicle had a maximum range of {{convert|120|mi|km|0}} on only one charge and had a top speed of {{cvt|65|mph}}.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lAEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87 |title=Concept USA: Detroit Designs For The Future |first=Dan |last=McCosh |magazine=Popular Science |date=May 1992 |pages=87;114}}

The production EPIC, based on the third generation minivans, was equipped an AC traction motor and single speed transmission, with a peak output of {{cvt|100|hp}} and continuous output of {{cvt|75|hp}}, giving it a top speed of {{cvt|80|mph}}.

With the lead-acid battery, the EPIC had a range of {{cvt|68|mi}}.{{cite magazine |url=https://greencarjournal.com/dont-miss/electric-minivans-were-on-chryslers-menu-in-the-1990s/ |title=Electric Minivans for Fleets |date=August 1998 |magazine=Green Car Journal |access-date=31 May 2024}} As tested by Southern California Edison, urban range varied from {{cvt|46.2|to|58.6|mi}}, depending on load, and freeway range varied from {{cvt|52.6|to|60.8|mi}}; total energy used was approximately 32–35 kW-hr, as measured from AC energy drawn by the charger after each test, which includes charging losses.{{cite report |url=http://ev.inel.gov/fop/pdf/epic.pdf |title=Electric Vehicle Performance Characterization Summary: Chrysler EPIC, Lead Acid Batteries |date=June 1997 |publisher=Southern California Edison, Electric Transportation Division |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030424144902fw_/http://ev.inel.gov/fop/pdf/epic.pdf |archive-date=April 24, 2003 |url-status=dead}}

The NiMH battery used 30 cells manufactured by Saft, with each cell operating at 12 V and providing 1 kW-hr of storage, giving an aggregated capacity of 30 kW-hr; the entire battery pack weighed {{cvt|1200|lb}} with coolant.

The reduced battery weight improved performance, giving the 1999 EPIC a maximum payload of {{cvt|945|lb}} and acceleration of {{cvt|0–50|mph}} in 12 seconds; range improved to {{cvt|80|mi}} under the SAE J1634 testing cycle.{{cite web |url=https://avt.inl.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/fsev/HistoryOfElectricCars.pdf |title=History of Electric Cars |date=2016 |publisher=Idaho National Laboratory |access-date=31 May 2024}}{{rp|5}} As tested by Southern California Edison, urban range varied from {{cvt|63.6|to|82.0|mi}}, depending on load, and freeway range varied from {{cvt|68.6|to|99.3|mi}}; total energy used was approximately 50–55 kW-hr, as measured from AC energy drawn by the charger after each test, which includes charging losses.{{cite report |url=http://ev.inel.gov/fop/pdf/EPICnimh.PDF |title=Electric Vehicle Performance Characterization Summary: Chrysler EPIC, NiMH Batteries |date=August 1999 |publisher=Southern California Edison, Electric Transportation Division |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020827220133fw_/http://ev.inel.gov/fop/pdf/EPICnimh.PDF |archive-date=August 27, 2002 |url-status=dead}} Per the manufacturer, the production EPIC had a maximum payload (including passengers) of {{cvt|800|lb}} with a {{cvt|5900|lb}} GVWR, giving an estimated kerb weight of {{cvt|5100|lb}}.

A 440 V DC charger was able to recharge the battery within half an hour; the standard charger operated on 208–240 V AC with a six to eight hour charge time.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4539/Dodge_Epic/default.aspx ConceptCarz.com Info for the EPIC]
• [https://www.allpar.com/corporate/electric-cars.html Chrysler’s Electric Cars and Minivans: TEVan, EPIC, ENVI, and more]
• [http://www.evalbum.com/4854 1999 Dodge EPIC]

{{Dodge Concept}}

EPIC

{{electric-vehicle-stub}}

Category:Electric vehicles introduced in the 20th century