In celebration of Earth Day, Chrysler today unveiled an all-electric version of its Town and Country minivan in Washington, D.C. The electric minivan – which represents Chrysler’s ENVI division’s first EV intended for fleet production – was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service.
Chrysler’s ENVI division is tasked with developing the automaker’s greenest vehicles, and has already produced five prototypes. Four of those vehicles have been range-extending electric vehicles – in the same vein as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt – with only one, the Lotus Europa-based Dodge Circuit, being a true electric vehicle.
Although Chrysler and the USPS have yet to ink an official contract for the use of the EV minivan, Chrysler is currently working to secure federal funding to support electric vehicle fleet programs. Ford has already committed to offering an electric version of its Transit Connect, so an electrified minivan from Chrysler would seem to make sense.
Chrysler failed to mention the EV minivan’s range, but did reveal its batteries were produced by A123Systems – Chrysler’s product EV battery partner.
