[thinkling]

If fully electric cars don't quite work for your needs because of the range or the charge times, I recommend looking at the Chevy Volt. I think the Voltec drivetrain is a great design. It drives like an EV, even when the engine is active, but eliminates range anxiety. The integration of the electric motors and gas engine is really good.

With my driving pattern, I end up driving on pre-charged electric 50% of the time and gas about 50% of the time. On gas, the car gets the advertised 42mpg.

[cwbrandsma]

My problem is seats. Ideally I want a vehicle that sits 8 people (minimum is 7) -- and not cost a small fortune. So, for the time being electrics are out of the running for me. I'll check back in 10 years when most of my kids have moved out.

[thinkling]

Might be worth looking at the hybrid Chrysler Pacifica as a compromise.

I thought the Voltec drivetrain would be great in a minivan, but apparently GM engineers say it won't work in heavier cars [0].

[0] https://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/gms-randd-head-says-volt...

[stevenwoo]

Isn't your eligible list of vehicles tiny - 7 seater? Forget not costing a small fortune, off the top of my head a Mercedes Sprinter van and Chevy Suburban are not cheap to buy or run.

[thinkling]

Every minivan is a 7-seater (2 + 2 + 3) and many bigger SUVs are, as well.