Chrysler may unveil an all-electric version of its Pacifica minivan at CES

By Stephen Edelstein December 12, 2016

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is not very enthusiastic about electric cars. When the limited-market Fiat 500e was launched a few years ago, CEO Sergio Marchionne complained that FCA lost money on every one sold, and that the car was only built to satisfy California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate. Marchionne hasn’t changed his view since then.

Or has he? FCA may unveil an all-electric version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan at CES 2017 in January, according to a Bloomberg report. That report was attributed to anonymous sources familiar with FCA’s CES plans, who also said the company is working on an “electric Maserati sports car” that would target Tesla.

FCA already sells the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in hybrid model, but an all-electric version could be its first mass-market electric vehicle. The current Fiat 500e is only sold in California and Oregon, and FCA has no other electrified vehicles in its lineup at the moment. Marchionne has discussed adding hybrids to the lineup as a way to meet stricter upcoming fuel economy standards.

It’s also possible that the Chrysler Pacifica variant debuting at CES will have something to do with FCA’s current partnership with Google. In May, the two companies announced plans to work together on autonomous-driving tech based around a fleet of 100 Pacifica Hybrid plug-in hybrids retrofitted with Google hardware. Maybe FCA will show one of these cars at CES.

As for the electric Maserati, a recent report claimed it would be based on a production version of the well-received Alfieri concept car, due in 2019. The sports car will reportedly launch with a conventional gasoline powertrain, and then get an electric option further down the road.

FCA has paid relatively little attention to electric cars so far, and focusing on niche models like a minivan and sports car is a somewhat unusual way to make up ground. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the company’s electric-car plans at CES in January.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Cars

Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think

Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.

Cars

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024 vs. Mach-E 2023: What’s new in Ford’s electric Mustang?

Blue Ford Mustang Mach-E on a rooftop

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the best EVs for the price, offering a solid range, sleek design, and pretty good tech on the inside. In recent years, it has gotten even cheaper -- thanks in large part to a price war between it and the Tesla Model 3. And, the company just took the wraps off of the latest and greatest version of the Mach-E, labeled as the 2024 model.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E is notably different from the 2023 iteration in some meaningful ways. So much so that we decided to take a look at the two head-to-head -- to see if it was better to pay for the 2024 model or save some cash on any remaining 2023 stock.
Design
The Mustang Mach-E looks relatively unique -- in a good way. And thankfully, Ford has largely kept the overall design the same for the 2024 model, at least when it comes to the more consumer-focused models. The car retains the slatted taillights and crossover size. It also offers a large selection of colors, including the very blue Grabber Blue Metallic, as well as Rapid Red Metallic. It's a good selection of colors, and there should be an option for most buyers.