CAN WE MAKE IT OVER 500 MILES HOME IN THE ONLY EV MINIVAN? THRIFTY 3 EP.13

EV Channels Review

This episode of Thrifty 3 documents a 523-mile road trip from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Boulder, Colorado, in a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, serving as a temporary replacement for the shop-bound Tesla Model 3. The primary objective was to determine if the minivan could complete the journey on a single tank of gas, leveraging its electric-hybrid capabilities. The reviewer highlights the Pacifica Hybrid's unique position as the only electric minivan available, offering a significant electric-only range of around 32 miles and impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy. Despite initial concerns about range, especially when driving at higher speeds (around 80 mph), the Pacifica Hybrid ultimately achieved a real-world fuel economy of approximately 33.94 mpg, covering 497.7 miles before the final calculation. The review praises the minivan's practicality, spacious interior, numerous storage compartments, and thoughtful features like three-zone climate control and dual rear-seat screens. However, compromises are noted, including the inability to stow the second-row seats due to battery placement and the availability only as a seven-passenger model. The reviewer also touches upon the potential cost savings through federal and state rebates, making the hybrid variant cheaper than its non-hybrid counterpart in certain regions. The video concludes by emphasizing the minivan's utility for road trips, contrasting it with the ongoing issues with the Tesla Model 3's repair status.