I also dream of an EV minivan, but my use case is different: I sold my 1984 VW Vanagon Westfalia camper a few years ago, and I really need to replace it with something more practical. I’d love to take all but two seats out of an EV minivan and create a custom camping interior in the rear. There are even a few companies offering (expensive!) custom pop-tops.

In the meantime, I read that the Chrysler Pacifica is one of the best minivans available, and the Pacifica plug-in hybrid model is available now. The AAA used car buying service lists a 2021 Limited model near me for around $30.5K. I’m planning to go look at it.

That AAA service offers lease-return vehicles through dealers, no haggling. That’s how I got my 2017 Outback in 2021, and I still love it. But the Outback too small for comfortable car camping. I bought a small trailer and towed it with the Outback on a coast-to-coast trip. That was a great experience, but it taught me that I’m really a van person.

The Pacifica PHEV has a 32-mile electric range, and Edmunds says they got 44.1 mpg on their 115-mile test course. My Outback got 37.2 mpg on my 333-mile trip last week, including the Grapevine, so I might not be disappointed with the Pacifica!

There are rumors the Pacifica EV may be available in 2028. Can I wait that long? Will democracy even last that long?