Via Motors' commercial EVs succeed

IDTechEx has been proved right in forecasting considerable growth in industrial and commercial electric vehicles, notably in the sectors of light industrial, buses and outdoor forklifts. The sector will pass the ten billion dollars mark as early as 2015. Both hybrid and pure electric versions of these are in demand and there is none of the nervousness about lithium-ion batteries that we see in the air industry, which, for special air-related reasons, has many magnitudes greater failure rates including fires.

 

The market drivers for hybrid and pure electric industrial and commercial vehicles can, in the main, be divided into reduced cost over life, better performance and government action that bans or severely restricts noisy and/or polluting vehicles from certain locations, required performance improvements, seeking a green image and responding to changes in society such as ordering on line (delivery by truck) and not having a car. That typically takes the form of laws, subsidies, tax breaks and local and national government purchasing many of these types of vehicle even where payback is long at say eight years or even non-existent.

 

For example, local and national government seek a green image and reduced local noise and air pollution and most countries ban internal combustion engines from enclosed spaces and the USA restricts their use in orchards. Consequently, almost all indoor forklifts in the world are electric. On road, an increasing number of countries introduce increasingly onerous pollution requirements for vehicles to reduce pollution, usually with the secondary benefit of reducing dependence on foreign oil. The following converter of on road light commercial vehicles illustrates some of the success.

 

 

 

VIA Motors is a privately held electric vehicle development and manufacturing company. VIA employs a streamlined second stage manufacturing process to integrate its proprietary V-DRIVE™ electric power train into new OEM vehicles, then sells directly to fleets under the VTRUX™ brand name. VIA VTRUX delivers up to 40-mile battery range and unlimited extended range, averaging up to 100 mpg in typical daily driving. For more information visit: www.VIAmotors.com . To see a video with Bob Lutz introducing VIA's VTRUX go to http://viamotors.com/erev. The following press releases explain recent advances in the light commercial electric vehicle market by VIA Motors.

 

 

To address the need for more eco-friendly fleet vehicles, Verizon has collaborated with electric-vehicle developer and manufacturer VIA Motors to produce an extended-range electric cargo van. VIA developed and built the van, based on Verizon's direction and fleet concepts, and expects it to achieve 100 miles per gallon with near zero emissions. Verizon will now test and deploy two of the vans in New Jersey and New York.

 

 

Bob Lutz — the legendary auto industry executive and father of the Chevy Volt, General Motors' electric car — unveiled Verizon's new vehicle on Monday (Jan. 14) at the North American International Auto Show. "By demonstrating that going green can also be good business, large fleets like Verizon's can have a significant influence on the direction of the auto industry and help accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles like VIA's electric work vans," said Lutz, former vice chairman of General Motors and a VIA board member.

 

Ken Jack, vice president of fleet for Verizon, said: "We believe the challenges businesses face in operating sustainable fleets require an ecosystem of innovation. Our collaboration focused on developing a more environmentally friendly cargo van, as cargo vans are widely used by large U.S. fleets and account for more than 30 percent of Verizon's fleet. Electrifying these work vehicles could have a significant impact on a nationwide reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions."

 

Because the average total miles per day traveled by Verizon's fleet is low, the company expects the new vans to operate entirely under electric power most days; doing so would annually reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 2.4 metric tons and reduce the use of petroleum fuel by about 750 gallons.

 

The dashboard of the new van is equipped with a removable tablet, which aims to prevent distracted driving by providing voice prompts and easy-to-read route information. Verizon will also provide technological capabilities, through its acquisition of Hughes Telematics, including fuel and route optimization, vehicle maintenance and diagnostics, emergency assistance, and voice and data services.

 

 

"The collaboration with Verizon has quickly resulted in new innovations in its fleet, and we look forward to demonstrating the robust durability and economy of VIA's technology in the field," said Alan Perriton, president of VIA Motors. "Verizon's dedication to green fleet solutions is setting an example for companies that seek to reduce the environmental footprint and operational costs of their fleets."

 

Overall, VIA anticipates the Verizon electrified work vehicles should improve fleet fuel economy by up to 300 percent while cutting emissions in half or more. The vehicles have up to 40 miles of all-electric range, using technologically advanced lithium ion batteries, with the added capability to drive additional miles by using VIA's onboard electric generator, or "range extender." The vehicle can be charged overnight from a typical 110-volt household outlet for as little as $1 a day in some states.

 

In addition, VIA's exportable power system option can provide 15 kilowatts of continuous 110-volt or 220-volt power for emergency or job-site application, a much cleaner alternative to conventional stationary-power generation.

 

"We anticipate that the 15 kilowatts of clean mobile power generation provided by the vans will be of great value in emergencies like Hurricane Sandy, and in everyday use, to reduce stationary emissions and provide greater service capabilities," Verizon's Jack said.

 

 

 

Over the past five years, Verizon has been implementing a myriad of solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet, including vehicle technologies like all-electric, hybrids and alternative fueled vehicles, and processes such as improved routing, reduced idling, and improved tire-efficiency and pressure-monitoring processes. In addition, Verizon has a robust sustainability strategy that includes an e-waste recycling program, smart buildings and an aggressive commitment to various ENERGY STAR programs. The strategy supports Verizon's goal of cutting by 50 percent its carbon intensity - the company's main sustainability metric that measures the amount of energy needed to transport a terabyte of data over its networks - by 2020.

 

Verizon Communications, headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500.

 

 

 

PG&E and VIA Motors showcased the first extended-range electric sport-utility vehicles and cargo vans for utilities today (Jan. 14) at the North American International Auto Show.

 

This week in Detroit, reporters witnessed a conversation between a hologram of Thomas Edison and VIA board member Bob Lutz on the past and future of electric vehicles.

 

Greg Pruett, a PG&E senior vice president, was joined by Bob Lutz, a VIA Motors board member, Alan Perriton, VIA Motors chief operating officer, and Thomas Edison. Yes, that Thomas Edison.

 

The Detroit show, considered the top auto show in the world, has a long history of dramatic reveals of new vehicles. Infiniti presented a mini Cirque de Soleil show during its introduction of the new Q50 sedan today, for instance.

 

In that spirit, VIA Motors presented a conversation between Lutz, the former vice chairman of General Motors, and Edison, the noted inventor of many things, including electric vehicles.

 

Well, at least a conversation between Lutz and a hologram of Edison.

 

"We are on the verge of a grand era," Edison told Lutz. "I envision electric cars in every home."

 

Lutz agreed, saying, "I am convinced that electric vehicles will someday dominate the roads."

 

 

 

He's something of an expert on the subject, as Lutz is considered the father of the Chevy Volt, the innovative range-extended electric sedan produced by GM.

 

PG&E and VIA Motors displayed a new SUV version of its extended-range electric vehicle at the Detroit auto show.

 

Besides its eREV (extended-range electric vehicle) lineup of full-size pickup trucks, cargo vans and SUVs, VIA also unveiled a concept vehicle on Monday - the XTruck with two 402-horsepower electric motors.

Besides PG&E's Pruett, Verizon Wireless Vice President Ken Jack took part in the news conference. Combined, according to VIA's Perriton, PG&E and Verizon have more than 30,000 vehicles in their fleets.

 

"Given the size of their fleets," he said, "Verizon and PG&E could kick start the electric vehicle revolution all by themselves."

 

PG&E had joined VIA at the 2012 Detroit show to show off its eREV full-size pickups. Last year, the utility tested two eREV trucks as part of its overall fleet. Based on the positive results of that test, PG&E will be adding more eREV trucks, SUVs and cargo vans from VIA Motors to its fleet.

 

 

 

VIA Motors' eREV vehicles not only have the potential to transform transportation, but also the way electric utilities like PG&E provide service to customers. These eREVs can provide exportable power to shorten unplanned outages, provide backup power for scheduled outages and boost the electric grid when needed.

 

 

The first generation trucks have 15-kilowatt capacity, which is the equivalent of a generator for a small or medium house. A utility-grade output module, now in development, will provide 50 kW of mobile emergency power to keep critical facilities online.

 

Pruett noted that the response to Hurricane Sandy, when millions of customers on the Eastern Seaboard lost power in late October and early November, would have been much different had utilities been able to provide power using VIA Motors vehicles.

 

All three eREV models feature extraordinary fuel efficiency, up to 100 mpg under typical driving conditions. "We at PG&E are always looking for benefits in three key areas — customer service, the environment and California's electric grid," said Pruett. "VIA's electric vehicle technology has the potential to benefit all three. I'm talking about fuel cost savings, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increased energy independence."

 

 

In 2008, PG&E partnered with VIA Motors to develop the first eREV pickup truck.

 

"VIA's partnership with PG&E, and the introduction of the world's first extended-range electric work trucks, SUVs and cargo vans in their fleet, marks a turning point in the electrification of the industry's fleets," said Lutz. "As the world becomes more aware of the economic advantages of this ultra-clean technology, I am convinced that this type of electric vehicle will become very popular with consumers as well, and will help end our dependence on oil."

 

 

The eREV models run the first 40 miles on batteries, and then continue to drive on electricity generated from an onboard gas-electric generator for 400 miles or more. By driving primarily on electricity, the vehicles can more than double gas fuel economy and achieve zero emissions on 50 percent of the miles driven on typical fleet routes. For electric utilities, the electrified vehicles can provide on-site power to help shorten small outages, eliminate some planned outages for maintenance, and boost the electric grid when needed.

 

PG&E is committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by greening its fleet. Since 1995, PG&E's alternative-fuel vehicles have helped prevent more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. The utility has more than 1,200 alternative-fuel vehicles in its fleet, ranging from natural-gas, hybrid and electric passenger cars to large trucks that burn natural gas or have the ability to provide needed power from battery packs instead of idling engines. PG&E is testing and validating other promising transportation technologies, including liquid and compressed natural gas and diesel-electric hybrids.

 

 

For more read Industrial and Commercial Electric Vehicles 2012-2022.