Via Motors Electric GM pickups (now with Bob Lutz)

$1,000 Deposit
Expected Delivery 2013
refundable reservation
Anticipated selling price
is $79,000 in volume

24kWh Lithium ion battery pack, liquid cooled, 700vdc, no dc/dc converter.

Traction motor is 200kW (402hp). Basically, a Chevy Volt concept adapted to the full size GM pickups, vans, and SUV (like Suburban and Tahoe).

http://www.viamotors.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't know about this venture. GM already has an enhanced 2-mode hybrid (essentially a 4-mode hybrid) which is capable of pure electric from 0 through highway speeds. They pulled the plug, or delayed the project because they didn't think that adding $10k-$20k's worth of batteries to the system would attract a lot of interest.

Even at $20k worth of batteries, you'd still have a Silverado/Sierra hybrid capable of 40+ pure electric miles, and pushing 600 miles on gas @ 25MPG+. This with a proven drive train, 6000 lb towing capacity, and a large dealer network to support it.

That's a lot more capabilities and support then VIA plans to offer at $10k-$15k more. If GM pulled the plug - at least until 2015 - I can't see VIA attracting a lot of attention. When GM does release the 4-mode hybrid in full size vehicles, and a miniature version of the system in mid-size sedans when the battery capacity available in 2015 - it should be interesting.

Then again - it is GM.

A lot of people have asked for an EREV pickup truck, with 40 miles of range and a 150kw V6 genset it will definitely do the job. Plus you can power your home or worksite from the truck, not bad.

Also its a serial configuration, thats always a plus to the purists among us.

I have a few friends who would be willing to pay extra for EREV trucks, as they have a lot to benefit, coming from only 15mpg. They've also told me that a lot of the power poles at construction sites have 240v outlets.

Did this company just spring into existence? I can't find much on them and their website is very vague.

Also, I thought Bob Lutz still worked for GM.

They have been around for a while:

from 2006:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/10/raser_will_unve.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2009:

http://www.automobilemag.com/green/news/0906_raser_technologies_hummer_h3_plugin_concept/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They filed chapter 11 back in may:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/51734878-79/company-raser-utah-geothermal.html.csp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://thinkgeoenergy.com/archives/8976" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is a listing of Raser's company officers from 2008

http://web.archive.org/web/20080723162605/http://www.rasertech.com/company_director_bios.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kraig T. Higginson (Raser Executive Chairman, Director) and Alan G. Perriton (Raser Director) are seen posing in a picture with Lutz in the new Via Motors website.

I hope Bob kept a hand on his wallet

I want this truck. I keep looking at $80,000 for a basic 85kW Tesla but still need my F150 to drag the RV trailer around.
Payload at 1500 pounds is kinda weak. I wonder how it would do pulling 8000 pounds over the Rocky Mountains.
If it is truely electric drive only with no multispeed transmission I might go with something like this.
40 mile EV range would still cover most day to day stuff.
Although I would prefer a Ford version

VIA Motors were showing off their products at the recent LA Auto Show:



In addition to this 2014 Silverado, they also had the previous gen Suburban and the Express/Savana work van on display. All utilize GM's 4.3L V-6, and when it is delivered they simply remove the transmission and replace it with the generator and add a battery, electric motor, and related electronics. All belt-driven accessories except the water pump are removed from the ICE.

Took some pics of their spec display:







As you can see the battery capacity is only 22 kWH, a bit puny given the size of the vehicle. But it allegedly gives 40 miles of EV-only range. When I asked their rep as to why they only provided that size battery, he said cost was the primary reason. A "contractor grade" (which I guess means the base model) truck starts at $65k and goes upward from there.

BTW there is optional external power connection option that provides both 120 and 240 volt outlets, powered by the battery or the generator. The 240 volt outlet can provide up to 30 amps of electricity, so you can charge your other EV with your VIA truck :lol:

The truck is sold through selected GM dealers (and serviced by them as well) to avoid issues that Tesla is facing right now. VIA claims the original GM warranty is still in effect for anything that was not added/modified by VIA.

Is Bob Lutz going to confiscate these also like he did with the EV-1?

Via shows just a buy price.... I don't think they will want them back.

Although I do wonder what the price of the battery replacement would be.

Interesting interview on CNBC

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000241865" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

... you're replacing the vehicle that normally gets 11 miles per gallon in an urban environment and you're replacing it with a vehicle that goes to 100 miles per gallon. now you're getting -- the owners get a genuine economic benefit. that's why there's so much interest from the big fleets.

Click to expand...

I have zero interest in driving one of these, but if I needed a truck and could afford it, this would be the one. I really hope it catches on.

Urban environments are where these vehicles shine the best. I do hope that this and similar vehicles do become more mainstream for fleets, especially delivery fleets where frequent stops and starts just kill fuel economy.