Verizon and VIA Motors say they are partnering to develop and demonstrate plug-in electric vehicles (EV) that employ VIA's proprietary eREV (extended-range electric vehicle) technology.
VIA has already engineered commercial pickup trucks and cargo vans that use eREV hybrid powertrain technology, which offers up to 40 miles of all-electric range. According to VIA, Verizon will work with the company to test the EVs and evaluate the technology for ‘possible wide-scale application into Verizon's fleet.’
‘By collaborating with VIA on this extended-range technology, we hope to create a game-changing opportunity not just for Verizon, but for other companies and industries as well, to reduce emissions and cut maintenance costs without having to wait years for large-scale electric-charging infrastructure,’ says James Gowen, Verizon's chief sustainability officer.
VIA integrates its eREV drive system into new OEM vehicles and then sells the EVs directly to fleets under the VTRUX brand name.
