Chrysler to Begin Making Electric Minivans

Chrysler Corp. said it will begin making the world’s only electric minivan, with production scheduled to start in October at its plant in Ontario, Canada. Detroit’s No. 3 auto maker said it will build 2,000 of the Epics and make them available to fleet owners in California or New York for the 1999 model year. The Epic, an electric version of the 1999 Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, is powered by an AC traction motor run on a nickel hydride battery pack located under the floor of the minivan. Top speed is 80 mph, and the van’s range on a full charge is projected to be between 80 and 90 miles in moderate conditions. Chrysler shares rose $1.25 to close at $55.06 on the NYSE.