VIA Motors

VIA Motors is an American electric vehicle development and manufacturing company. VIA Motors produces extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) by modifying trucks, vans and SUVs. VIA Motors purchases basic vehicles from GM and replaces the conventional gas powertrain with an extended-range electric-drive powertrain. VIA then sells directly to fleets under the VTRUX™ brand name. VIA is beta testing its vehicles with fleet customers^[1] and is taking orders from the public for trucks to be delivered in 2014. VIA Motors received the NTEA Work Truck Show 2012 Green Award^[2] for the VIA VTRUX truck.

History

VIA Motors was spun off in November 2010 from Raser Technologies, the engineering company that, in 2009, showed a Hummer H3 said to be capable of returning 100 miles per gallon when fitted with Raser’s range-extender plug-in powertrain.^[3][4] Bob Lutz, former vice-chairman of GM credited as "Father of the Chevy Volt",^[5] featuring an extended-range electric powertrain called Voltec,^[6] joined as Chairman in 2011.

2010 – VIA Motors is formed from a private group of investors. Executives and engineers from General Motors and Raser Technologies join VIA Motors.

2011 – VIA raises $5.3 million from private investors including Carl Berg.^[7] Alpha and beta vehicles are delivered to PG&E. Bob Lutz joins VIA Motors as chairman.

2012 – VIA unveils a lineup of EREV versions of trucks, vans and SUVs at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.^[8] VIA signs key suppliers, including Remy Motors^[9] and A123 Batteries.^[10] Fleet customers including Rocky Mountain Power^[11] and Verizon Wireless^[12] join vehicle testing program.

Products

The VIA VTRUX pickup at NAIAS 2013

VIA offers versions of vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs as Extended Range Electric Vehicles (E-REV). The VIA VTRUX truck has a 40-mile battery-only range,^[8] and a 35-mile range for the van and SUV. After batteries are depleted, a gas-powered generator creates electricity for continued driving, similar to the architecture of the Chevy Volt.^[6][13]

Vehicle Specifications

• Batteries. VIA's vehicles uses 22 kWh liquid-cooled nanophosphate lithium-ion batteries from A123 Energy Solutions. The battery chemistry is based on research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).^[14] The nanoscale structure of the Nanophosphate chemistry enables battery systems with higher power, increased abuse tolerance, longer life and the greater ability to maintain consistent power over a wide range of state of charge (SOC) as compared with competing lithium ion and other chemistries.^[15]
• Gas Engine. Gas Engine A 4.3L V6 combustion engine is paired with VIA’s electric generator to form a gas/electric generator set. The gas engine runs only when generating electricity to recharge the batteries.
• Electric Generator. The 150 kW (201 hp) generator is connected directly to the engine and only runs to charge the batteries. The motor and generator are supplied by Remy International.^[16]
• Electric Motor. The electric motor provides propulsion at all times. The 150 kW 402 Nm motor weighs 108 lbs and measures 11”x 11”.^[17]
• Inverter. VIA claims the truck can be used to power a home in an emergency. PG&E intends to use the truck to provide emergency street power during outages.^[18] The power export capacity is offered in 10 kW or 50 kW options. The inverters used for the traction motor and generator are supplied by TM4 Electrodynamic Systems.^[19]
• Charging. Vehicles can be charged with 120, 240 or 480 volts (Level 3 charging station). Charging times vary based on input voltage, and can range from 8 hours with a household outlet to 3 hours with a charging station.

References

External links

• Official website