SAFT NiCad batteries in podController and charger open for inspectiUnderbody battery pods from passenger si
OwnerCraig Vinton
Owner's Other EVs1996 Geo Tracker
1994 Chevrolet S-10
1929 Mercedes Roadster EV
LocationSeattle, Washington United States map
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Vehicle1994 Dodge TEVan
One 56 made and one of just a few left on the road... Made in Chrysler Windsor plant in Ontario Canada.
MotorGeneral Electric Separately Excited DC
A 27 hp/ 70 hp max 48 kW separately-excited GE DC traction motor coupled to a two-speed FWD EV trans-axle with hi, lo, reverse and park; and is a highway capable vehicle with speeds up to 70 mph.
Drivetrain2 speed transmission with clutch and park
Front wheel drive
ControllerGeneral Electric
solid-state microprocessor
Batteries30 Saft STM5-200, 6.00 Volt, Nickel-Cadmium, Flooded
Undergoing Lithium conversion at this time... 108 CELLS / 200 AH
System Voltage180 Volts
ChargerMartin-Marietta
Accepts 120vac @ 20 amps or 220vac @ 20 or 40 amps; and a 208 3-phase @ 20 or 40 amp inputs. The charger is in the controller housing.
Heater8.8 kW three-stage ceramic electric heater
DC/DC ConverterGeneral Electric
120 Amps output intregal to controller, no auxilary battery
Instrumentationa) "fuel" guage displaying state of charge
b) motor temp guage
c) E-meter
Top Speed70 MPH (112 KPH)
Accelerationunremarkable
Range86 Miles (138 Kilometers)
EV America testing did 86.4 miles at 45 mph
Seating Capacity5 adults
Curb Weight5,060 Pounds (2,300 Kilograms)
(Can you say hefty?) Will be lighter after Li conversion...
TiresP205/75R15 Goodyear Integrity at 50 PSI
Additional Featuresa) Electric air conditioning (R-134a)
b) Regenerative braking
b) Power Brakes
d) Power Steering
e) AM/FM Stereo
f) Dual airbags
g) Automatic watering system (removed for Li conversion)
This is an electric version of a Dodge Caravan, one of 56 built by Chrysler as a test program. One half of the vans were equipped with Eagle-Pitcher Nickel-Iron batteries, and one half with SAFT Nickel-Cadmium batteries. Mine is one of the second group. This van gives a very good idea of what is possible if the auto industry decided to build EVs. It is fully equipped with seating for five, dual airbags, power steering, power brakes, and a very powerful electric heater. The batteries are conservatively rated for 100,000 miles of service.

code by jerry