1999 Chrysler OEM EV
" EPIC "
---> Electric Powered Intraurban Commuter <---
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Vehicle Description
The 1999 Dodge Caravan SE, or EPIC, for "Electric Powered
Intraurban Commuter" is an OEM Chrysler production vehicle
that followed their earlier variant, the 1993 Dodge/Chrysler TEVan.
Both the EPIC and TEVan were manufactured at
Chrysler’s Canadian assembly line in Windsor, Ontario. In 1998
Chrysler originally announced a production goal of 2,000 units for
1999 but it is thought Chrysler achieved no more then a few
dozen vehicles by the end of production.
The EPIC’s top speed is governed at 80mph / 128kph and
accelerates from 0 to 60mph in 16 seconds with a stated range
of 60mi / 96km. Constant speed range at 45mph yielded 116mi,
with energy used of 28.5kW, an average power of 11.09kW
and 245 Wh/mile. Alternatively at a constant speed range at 60mph
the EPIC yielded 81.2mi, with energy used of 27.61kW, an
average power of 20.18kW and 340Wh/mile. Some performance
testing has yielded as much as 112 miles of range in
varying conditions.
The EPIC’s seating capacity equals 5 adults with a curb weight
of 4,876lbs. / 2,215Kg and a GVWR 5,800lbs. / 2631Kg including
a payload capacity of 925lbs. / 420Kg. The EPIC’s dimensions
are 185.8in. / 4720mm length; 75.8in / 1925mm width;
70.3in / 1785mm height; 5.2in / 132mm ground clearance at GVWR;
and, has a wheelbase of 113.3in. / 2878mm. The EPIC
has heavy duty shocks, springs and struts to accomidate the traction
pack weight.
The EPIC has a 3-Phase SatCon AC Induction Motor with 100 peak
HP / 75 HP continuous, with an oil cooled single-speed front
wheel drive transaxle with nominal D/drive, R/reverse, N/neutral,
& P/park shifting regiment. The EPIC uses a Chrysler
Pentastar controller.
Batteries include 28 Saft Nh12.1, 12 Volt nominal, 82ah (C/3)
Nickel-Metal Hydride modules weighing 41.5lbs / 18.8Kg each using
a water cooled thermal system in a under-floor aluminum
structured traction pack. Nominal traction pack voltage equals
336 volts with a Lockheed-Martin 14.4kW charging system fed by an
off-board Lockheed Martin conductive combined Level II or III
charger built exclusively for the EPIC. The vehicle uses an ODU
connector/coupler unique to the EPIC.
The EPIC is capable of charging at Level II: 208/240 volt, single
phase, to 10kW Max @ 400v with a 0 to 100% charging time of 4-5
hours; or, a Level III output of: 208 volts, 3-phase, to 14.4kW Max
@ 400v with a 0 to 100% charging time of 30 minutes at 2
miles per minute of range replenishment.
Standard OEM tires were Goodyear Momentum P205/75R15 XL
inflated to F/R 50 psi. to improve RR (rolling resistance).
The EPIC’s instrumentation includes gauges for battery temp; SOC
(state of charge); power usage (0 to 100%); power remaining, and a
power limit warning tell-tale. An unusual feature of the EPIC
is its audible warning that announces SOC % remaining
both at 2/3rds (33% SOC) discharge and at charge initiation. "The
EV is 23% charged".
The EPIC’s heater is a heat pump style unit with a PTC
3-stage Ceramic core.
EPICs also feature typical dealer options including AM/FM Stereo
Radio/Cassette; Tilt Steering Wheel; Electric Air
Conditioning/Heat Pump; Electric Heater/Defroster; Side Window
Demisters; Driver & Front Passenger Air Bags; Solar tinted glass in
front of B-pillars; solar privacy glass to the rear; Halogen Headlights;
Intermittent Windshield Wipers; Heated Backlight Electric
Wiper De-Icer; Power Steering; Power Brakes - front disc. -
rear drum; Anti-Lock Brakes; Regenerative Braking; Power Door
Locks; and a BEMS - Battery Energy Management System
(tracks the I/O of each traction module).
Although in the 1993 Dodge TEVan engineers utalized a
direct DC/DC Converter to maintain that vehicle’s
12v systems with no auxilery battery; the 1999 EPIC utalizes a standard
PbA (lead acid) auxiliary battery which is maintained by a
DC/DC Converter from the traction pack. The EPIC’s system is
designed to check the auxiliary battery every 30 minutes
and top off the charge to 13.7v if found below
a resting 12.3v level.
The Beata Collection's EPIC remains in OEM survivor factory
condition and includes an original NiMH traction pack and six (6)
Lockheed Martin conductive pedistal chargers.
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There are four (4) EPICs known to exist c2023
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