Welcome to spring! After what seemed like the longest of winters – here in Calgary we were still getting snow in early-May – it feels great to have warm air at last, leaves on the trees and, of course, uninterrupted electric running for the Pacifica Hybrid.
Baymax recently checked into Crowfoot Dodge for an oil change and a switch back to the alloy rims and Nexen all-seasons. As usual, I then reset the trip. Despite the prolonged cold weather, we still managed to average 5.5L/100km (43mpg US) through the winter and early spring. Overall average fuel consumption since we took ownership nearly two years ago now stands at a very respectable 4.6L/100km (51mpg US).
With no issues to report with the car, I thought I’d use this post to talk about another electrified vehicle with which we recently spent time.
Baymax recently checked into Crowfoot Dodge for an oil change and a switch back to the alloy rims and Nexen all-seasons. As usual, I then reset the trip. Despite the prolonged cold weather, we still managed to average 5.5L/100km (43mpg US) through the winter and early spring. Overall average fuel consumption since we took ownership nearly two years ago now stands at a very respectable 4.6L/100km (51mpg US).
With no issues to report with the car, I thought I’d use this post to talk about another electrified vehicle with which we recently spent time.
On a trip back to the UK I was able to borrow a BMW iX xDrive50 for two weeks of driving around the country visiting family and friends. It’s a two-row SUV, about 235mm shorter than a Pacifica Hybrid but with about twice the power and a huge, 106.3kWh underfloor battery pack that provides up to 507km (315 miles) of range – a figure we can corroborate.
It was our first time as a family relying on an EV as our only car (previously we’ve always had a gas-powered car in the house at the same time) and it was an instructive experience. This’ll be news to no one, but the recharging infrastructure is crucial. The large battery capacity saw us through a week on the Isle of Wight, where the three fast-chargers were all out of action simultaneously (and with a battery that large and no home base, you really want a fast-charge option). Back on the mainland however, there were plenty of chargers when we needed them, and an excellent in-car navigation system to guide us to them.
The iX itself is supremely well developed, with the most futuristic interior of anything I’ve driven and outstanding ride quality that belies its 2,566kg (5,657 lb) mass and 22in rims. At around C$115k/US$100k, it’s out of most people’s reach and won’t save the planet on its own, but as a showcase for how accomplished an EV can be, it takes some beating. It’s worth mentioning, too, that BMW’s record on sustainability and ethics in supply chain and production is something to which all auto makers should aspire. Head to TractionLife for my full review.
It was our first time as a family relying on an EV as our only car (previously we’ve always had a gas-powered car in the house at the same time) and it was an instructive experience. This’ll be news to no one, but the recharging infrastructure is crucial. The large battery capacity saw us through a week on the Isle of Wight, where the three fast-chargers were all out of action simultaneously (and with a battery that large and no home base, you really want a fast-charge option). Back on the mainland however, there were plenty of chargers when we needed them, and an excellent in-car navigation system to guide us to them.
The iX itself is supremely well developed, with the most futuristic interior of anything I’ve driven and outstanding ride quality that belies its 2,566kg (5,657 lb) mass and 22in rims. At around C$115k/US$100k, it’s out of most people’s reach and won’t save the planet on its own, but as a showcase for how accomplished an EV can be, it takes some beating. It’s worth mentioning, too, that BMW’s record on sustainability and ethics in supply chain and production is something to which all auto makers should aspire. Head to TractionLife for my full review.
For the time being, large SUVs like the iX are as close as we can get to an EV minivan, Pacifica or otherwise (note that Vietnamese newcomer, VinFast is bringing the three-row VF-9 SUV, shown below left, to Canada later this year). Stellantis hasn’t said whether an all-electric Pacifica is in the product plan but with the investment finally flowing, has made a number of announcements recently regarding its EV production plans for Canada. In the past month, Chrysler’s parent company has committed to modernizing the plants in Brampton and Windsor to build EVs, as well as to a battery manufacturing joint-venture with LG and two new R&D centres in Windsor.
These developments aren’t before time. When I was at the New York Auto Show in April, pretty much all the major new cars on display were EVs, yet Stellantis’ offerings were a new colour on the Airflow Concept (below right; something similar could be on sale by 2025) and the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in. I’m sure there are plenty of PacHy owners out there, not to mention van customers from other brands, who’d consider a three-row Chrysler EV if it were offered. Let’s hope for the best! Until next time.
These developments aren’t before time. When I was at the New York Auto Show in April, pretty much all the major new cars on display were EVs, yet Stellantis’ offerings were a new colour on the Airflow Concept (below right; something similar could be on sale by 2025) and the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in. I’m sure there are plenty of PacHy owners out there, not to mention van customers from other brands, who’d consider a three-row Chrysler EV if it were offered. Let’s hope for the best! Until next time.
