1999 Chrysler OEM

" EPIC "

--->   Electric Powered Interurban Commuter   <---

The 1999 Dodge Caravan SE, or EPIC, for "Electric Powered Interurban Commuter"
is an OEM Chrysler production vehicle that followed their earlier variant,
the 1993 Dodge/Chrysler TEVan.  Both 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 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 wheelbase 
of 113.3in. / 2878mm.  The EPIC has heavy duty shocks, spings 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 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; BEMS - Battery Energy 
Management System (tracks the I/O of each traction module).

In the 1993 Dodge TEVan engineers utalized a direct DC/DC Converter to maintain the vehicle’s 
12v systems with no auxilery battery.  The EPIC however, maintains a standard PbA (lead acid) auxiliary battery 
which is in turn 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 voltage 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.

There are four (4) EPICs known to exist c2019