The annual event is being held in Detroit, Michigan in the US, Lutz touted the trucks, and their maker, Via Motors, in an interview with America’s CNBC this afternoon. The company has a press conference planned for Tuesday at 12:15 EST, on 10 January 2012.
"VIA Motors has developed the first extended range electric power-train capable of replacing the V8 engine,” Lutz said. “It was my great privilege to introduce the Chevy Volt, and it will be a great honour to introduce the world's first line of eREV Trucks, Vans and SUVs by VIA Motors."
After retiring from General Motors in 2010, Lutz continued to pursue his vision for extended range electric vehicles and recently joined the VIA Motors Board of Directors.
Revered for the role he played in developing the American "muscle car," bringing to market iconic cars like the Chevy Camaro and the Dodge Viper, Lutz is also considered the champion of GM's greenest production vehicle, the Chevy Volt.
"This new breed of full size utility vehicles can deliver the power and performance of a V8, with better fuel economy than many smaller cars, by driving on electricity for about $2 a day," said Alan Perriton, Chief Operations Officer for VIA Motors, and himself a former GM senior executive.
"It actually costs less to own and operate a clean VIA electrified truck or SUV than a gas truck," Perriton said.
In addition to the full size Pickup Truck, VIA will unveil two exciting new eREV vehicles at the North American International Auto Show: a full size, four wheel drive SUV, and a three-quarter-ton, full-size Cargo Van at its booth on the main floor of the show.
Like VIA's eREV truck, all three vehicles can drive 30 to 40 miles on advanced, non-flammable lithium-ion cells manufactured by A123 Systems. The company says its trucks will have all-electric range of up to 40 miles, after which a 4.3-liter V-6 range-extending engine switches on to generate electricity that powers the 300-kilowatt (400-horsepower) electric motor driving the rear wheels. Total range is as much as 400 miles.
VIA Motors has begun taking orders for 2012 for its extended range electric pickup truck from many of America's largest fleets.
Production of VIA's eREV pickup is scheduled to begin in 2012, with plans to ramp up production to 20,000 units per year over the next few years including the eREV SUV, Van and other large eREV vehicles.
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