VIA Motors, which specializes in converting large gasoline-powered vehicles into electric variants, just raised $5.3 million in stocks to achieve mass market production levels by 2013. The company will likely invest its new-found capital in infrastructures that will allow in-house EV development.
So far, Chevrolet Silverados and Hummer H3s have been purchased and stripped of their powertrain components to fit electric range-extending systems, similar to the Volt.
The batteries used by VIA Motors can last for 64 kilometres, at which point their fuel-powered generator takes over. Now running on gasoline, the latter could eventually rely on biofuels or hydrogen fuel cells.
VIA Motors has already sold electric trucks and SUVs to commercial fleets and pilot customers, including Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Top competition comes from the likes of Smith Electric Vehicles, a provider of electric trucks and vehicles to the Marine Corps, and several fleets for consumer brands like Frito Lay.
Source : TechCrunch
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| Photo: VIA Motors |
So far, Chevrolet Silverados and Hummer H3s have been purchased and stripped of their powertrain components to fit electric range-extending systems, similar to the Volt.
The batteries used by VIA Motors can last for 64 kilometres, at which point their fuel-powered generator takes over. Now running on gasoline, the latter could eventually rely on biofuels or hydrogen fuel cells.
VIA Motors has already sold electric trucks and SUVs to commercial fleets and pilot customers, including Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Top competition comes from the likes of Smith Electric Vehicles, a provider of electric trucks and vehicles to the Marine Corps, and several fleets for consumer brands like Frito Lay.
Source : TechCrunch