AUTOS
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Chrysler’s Electric Van Approved in California: The auto maker won state approval for mass production of an electric version of its popular Dodge Caravan minivan, becoming the first major U.S. auto maker to offer a vehicle aimed at meeting the state’s 1998 zero-emission rule. The 1993-model, five-passenger Caravan was certified for sale by the California Air Resources Board. The zero-emission rule mandates that 2% of vehicles manufactured for sale in California in 1998 emit no pollutants. Chrysler Corp.’s electric Caravan, powered by 30 six-volt batteries, has an operating range of up to 80 miles between charges and carries a price tag of $120,000, almost eight times that of the average gasoline-powered Caravan.
