New Electric Vans

[Larry Cobb]

Via Motors expects to have its technology available to customers within one year. When ready, Via Motors will install its eREV powertrain in the GM Silverado truck or Express van (Fig. 4). These vehicles will be able to drive the first 40 miles in all-electric mode, and a full range of 400 miles on a single charge. It generates its own charging power using a fuel-efficient onboard generator or “range extender.” You can plug into a standard outlet or charge batteries in half the time with a 240-V outlet or charging station.

4. Via Motors’ eREV powertrain is intended for the GM’s Silverado truck and Express van.

 

[hogjowl]

Oh joy

 

[Steve Lawrence]

I wonder how much horsepower?

 

[steve_64]

Torque will be more important than HP I would think with electric.

 

[Mikey P]

Why devolpe that vfor a van that will end it's production run in 3 years?

 

[steve_64]

Why devolpe that vfor a van that will end it's production run in 3 years?

Test it's durability?

 

[Old Coastie]

With Kalifornia trying to eliminate gasolene powered vehicles, this is a natural first effort.

 

[Larry Cobb]

Why develop that for a van that will end it's production run in 3 years?

Because Coca Cola , Frito Lay, and UPS is buying them now.

And Tesla is coming out with an all-electric pickup truck in 2017.

(which will work with a new hi-top body) .

 

[Dolly Llama]

having thousands of hours experience operating industrial lectro trucks/equipment and forklifts at the car factory, there's no doubt in my mind they can make lectro vans with enough torque to pull down a house

here's the deal though, unless and until they can make lectro vehicles that are competitive (without gov subsidy and/or corp tax breaks) with internal combustion engine vehicles, they'll never be mainstream .
Their sales will be to the niche market of enviro zealots that don't drive too far and big ballers that can afford a speedy/sporty Tesla to go with their Benz, Beemers and Lexus already in the garage

Because Coca Cola , Frito Lay, and UPS is buying them now

How big of a gov subsidy or tax break did they get?


..L.T.A.

 

[Living The Dream]

@Mark Saiger you won't be able to run all your fancy lights anymore. You'll need that battery power to run your TM!

 

[Jim Williams]

Just put a porty in the back of a Prius and your good to go.

 

[ruff]

Capitoni,
There's nothing wrong with government subsidy if it benefits the people and helps the environment.
Solar started that way. And now a lot of the subsidies are gone, but it reached the phase of lower prices that makes it more affordable and practical. It will be even more so as time goes on.

Leadership and vision for the good of the people.

 

[Cleanworks]

Wonder if I can a grant to develop my hybrid truck mount

 

[Matt B]

A prius pulling a trailer with solar panels on top with a bane clean system inside lol

 

[Bob Pruitt]

Wonder if I can a grant to develop my hybrid truck mount

https://hydramaster.com/product/cds-xdrive/ Surprised that this isn't a big thing in California. See and hear very little about it.

 

[Papa John]

Why devolpe that vfor a van that will end it's production run in 3 years?

Are You Saying That GMC won't be making the savana Cargo van as we know it? Will it still be Butler compatible?

 

[Jim Williams]

A prius pulling a trailer with solar panels on top with a bane clean system inside lol

Lol! Good one! That would only happen in California.

 

[Mark Von*Lay]

I'm waiting for this in the van version

 

[Nomad74]

I'm a little gassy tonight

 

[Willy P]

You're not far off the,um, mark Mark. My buddy runs an engineering company developing hydrogen , fuel cells.

http://sacre-davey.com/sector/clean-tech/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFynQu9Q-1K09YZSB0hWMxQ

They were running a hydrogen powered pick up for years.
Larry is right though- Chris has a porche, an audi a\nd a big ass pick up.The porche is re-engineered and SCARY fast.

 

[Dolly Llama]

but it reached the phase of lower prices that makes it more affordable and practical

how many solar panels in your new home, Ofer?

..L.T.A.

 

[Papa John]

how many solar panels in your new home, Ofer?

..L.T.A.

I have 8 and they already paid for themselves in less then a year...well they also had help cuz I switched to LED lighting--so the whole improvement might take a few more months to pay for itself.
Regarding rebates-- I didn't get any because the state rebate money was already depleted by the time I filed the paperwork.. so just because you plan on getting a rebate doesn't mean you'll get it.

 

[Cleanworks]

https://hydramaster.com/product/cds-xdrive/ Surprised that this isn't a big thing in California. See and hear very little about it.

The problem is you are still running the vans motor to power the unit. They are just using a generator instead of a drive shaft. No environmental difference from a regular CDs.

 

[ruff]

how many solar panels in your new home, Ofer?

..L.T.A.

We're off the grid. About 30 or twenty something. I forget.

 

[Dolly Llama]

I have 8 and they already paid for themselves in less then a year

OK got me curious and interested

how do you calculate the cost?
are the solar panels "forever"?
(meaning they'll last a generation without replacement)
What's the cost to buy and have them professionally installed and wired?
need batteries to charge?
if so, what's the cost and life cycle on them?

what would the equivalent cost of electric be to power the same LED lights you're using ?
(using national average of 11-12 cents pr KWh)

I'm genuinely curious if/when all the costs of solar panels (and all ancillary components needed) how it compares to flipping a switch to power the same needs @ 12 cents KWh

thanks

..L.T.A.

 

[Jimmy L]

How many years before you recoup your initial investment? For instance replacing and upgrading your windows will take about 10 years before you break even.

 

[ruff]

Too long to answer all these question, considering that I am from a third world country, an immigrant and on my best days English still is my second language.

However, for us, all of these calculations were irrelevant. As the "kind" PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) wanted a lot more money to just run a line to our house, than the entire cost of purchasing and installing the whole system, including a backup generator.
There's something about corporate monopolies that, at times, make decisions crystal clear

Oh, and after paying that crazy price for running the line, they would have provided us the benefit of an overpriced monthly bill. For life.
Call us bleeding heart liberal dreamers, if you will, but we decided to bypass their generous offer.

Dang. And I just noticed that the question was not even directed at me. Damn details!

 

[Jim Nazarian]

I got panels almost 8 years ago when I realized LADWP had tier pricing & during the summer I was paying tier 3 rates at the time were .25 KWh so for me the goal was to keep me out of the upper tiers & not completely zero bill. Tax incentives & rebates made a huge difference & the system was paid off in 6 1/2 years but our electric usage has gone up due to charging the Tesla overnight...still a lot cheaper then gas & more convenient, since I have additional roof space I am looking to add a second system since the cost of panels continue to drop.

You can check to see if it makes sense by plugging in your homes address & monthly electric bill herehttps://www.energysage.com/solar/calculator/

Getting panels was a financial decision not environmental, best return on investment & guaranteed since rates go up every year.

 

[Dolly Llama]

And I just noticed that the question was not even directed at me

you're off the grid in the Wupchuck Mountains
whole different world than the concrete jungle suburbia PapaJohn lives

.L.T.A.

 

[ruff]

WhoooooopChuck you nimrod. And that's your place.
John lives in suburbia. No concrete jungle where he lives. Just well mowed lawns. And in Thailand he hangs out with the chicken. Or, so I've heard.