Full Production Has Begun For Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

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The much anticipated (in the world of electric vehicle news anyway) Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has now gone into full production, according to recent reports.

Despite the name, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is actually a plug-in hybrid, rather than a conventional one — meaning that you can actually plug the car into an electrical outlet to charge the battery-pack, and thus can operate the model entirely without gasoline/petrol if desired (over limited distances).

Limited distances in this case refers to the model’s EPA range rating of 33 miles per full charge on electric/battery power. The EPA fuel economy rating on a drained battery is 32 mpg combined. So, if someone was diligent about plugging the car in when at home, then the majority of city miles could likely be done entirely off of battery power. Considering the interior space of the model, that’s pretty impressive (as we discussed recently).

Green Car Reports provides more: “For several weeks, eager shoppers have asked this site and others whether the Pacifica Hybrid was a ‘real vehicle’ or just a promotional exercise. According to the Detroit Free Press in an article published yesterday, it’s real, it’s going into ‘full retail’ production today, though Chrysler has been building small numbers since December 1.”

“Shipments of the plug-in minivan to dealers, says the ‘Freep,’ will start on Monday, April 17…”

Considering the many upsides of the Pacifica Hybrid, I would hope that there are a fair number of dealerships that decide to push it, but considering Fiat-Chrysler’s track record as regards electric vehicles, I remain skeptical. Those in California likely won’t have trouble getting one, but we’ll have to wait and see if those in Middle America that are interested end up having a hard time.

Something that’s interesting to note about the model is that the Korean electronics giant LG reportedly did the majority of the hybrid system engineering — the same firm that more or less designed the Chevy Bolt EV as well. Both models were finalists in our 2017 CleanTechnica Car of the Year competition, but the Bolt took home the grand prize.


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

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