(Corrections, opinions, +more requested) So far there are only two news items on Fiat Chrysler's announcement that they will be bringing an EV version of the van they produce as a pih minivan:
Fiat Chrysler expected to unveil all-electric concept Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV reportedly is forgoing a press conference at the Detroit auto show next month to premiere an all-electric concept vehicle Jan. Fiat Chrysler Rumored to Show Pacifica EV at CES Fiat Chrysler automobiles may be showing an all-electric version of its ... that gave the world its first plug-in hybrid minivan may go one better with an all-electric ... So why didn't I just give the links and be done with it? -First, the e-van is a one-off concept with no commitment of production (yet). -2nd, this is a future -pr- item, so it might be just attention getting fluff (when there is a production commitment, I will likely post it) -And lastly, we are all aware of how much the FCA CEO complains about producing EVs (so I'm a leery as to how committed FCA actually is about this). If FCA was to actually produce a compliance e-van (selling, leasing in small quantities just to be able to sell profitable ice), what would be the loss for FCA? The FCA CEO complained that each Fiat 500e lost the company ~$10k. My low guesstimate would be each e-van would lose ~$15k. But lets think about this for a moment. Right now, none of the major automakers are selling,leasing an e-van in N.America. With the huge discounts on compliance EVs, the public would be able to get an e-van as similarly cheaply as we have seen the 500e EVs being discounted for (automakers need the CARB credits). Now, if FCA does not make the mistakes that non-committal TMC made on the RAV4-EV-gen2 (the FCA e-van will have L3 DC charging, all the current EV status amenities, and at least a 150mi range, etc.) ... the public might actually get a taste of what could be their EV future. What vehicle is it that I see in parking lots with families getting out of them: vans, SUVs, and huge 4 door trucks. They want one vehicle that will carry the whole family and all the junk they drag around. Vans could satisfy that need. An Electric van with a decent range, quick charging, and other amenities considered normal by today's standards would be a viable choice. There just has not been this choice for s long the public does not know it is possible. Hopefully, if it is produced, FCA will promote it properly, and purposely fumble so they could fail like what TMC did. For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.0catch.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/it-is-about-time-they-need-to-do-it-right-FCA-Electric-van-auto-shows-tp4684782.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
