Jay Leno, Bob Lutz talk plug-ins, test drive a hybrid truck
Americans love the utility and functionality of the mighty pickup truck, but not its gas mileage.听
So its no surprise that talk show host Jay Leno thinks that Americans will love the Via Vtrux, a range-extended, full-size, electric pickup truck that combines the practicality of a Chevy Silverado with the gas mileage of a Chevy Volt.听
Leno came to his conclusions on the latest episode his ongoing web-based car series Jay Leno鈥檚 Garage, in which he interviewed automotive legend Bob Lutz and drove the plug-in pickup truck.听
With 18,000 miles on the clock of his Volt and only 12 gallons of gasoline used, Leno praised plug-in technology.听
鈥淗e [Lutz] and I both have Volts,鈥� Leno explained 鈥淚t鈥檚 a revolutionary product. And I personally believe that the [plug-in] hybrid is the way to go...with the [plug-in] hybrid it鈥檚 electricity when you want it and gas when you need it.鈥�
Credited as the father of the , Lutz was Vice Chairman of General Motors until May 2010, when he retired. He later returned to the company for a short while, before retiring a second time in 2011.听
Now an advisor to GM, Lutz sits on the board of Via Motors, which converts Chevy-brand vehicles to plug-in .
Powered by a 300 kilowatt mid-mounted electric motor and a 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack, the VTrux -- along with Via鈥檚 SUV and Van variants -- can travel up to 40 miles on a single charge.听
When the battery pack is fully discharged, a 4.3-liter V6 engine connected to a 150 kilowatt generator can provide additional power for up to 400 miles.听
Since it is not physically connected to the wheels, the V-6 engine is run at its most efficient speed, improving gas mileage.听
Designed as working vehicles rather than trophy , every Via vehicle comes with external 120- and 240-volt electrical outlets that can be powered by the vehicle鈥檚 V-6 engine.
That means Via Trucks can not only provide electrical power at remote work sites, also provide backup domestic power in the event of a power outage.听
On the road, Leno was thoroughly impressed with the pickup.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 got plenty of acceleration and plenty of power. I wouldn鈥檛 know I was in a [plug-in] car if you didn鈥檛 tell me,鈥� he enthused.
鈥淭his is what the future is. It鈥檚 pretty amazing,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚t combines everything you know about a truck already...except it gets great gas mileage.鈥�
The only drawback? The $79,000 projected price tag, and the fact that聽 it isn鈥檛 due to launch until next year.听
Admittedly, Via鈥檚 primary market is large fleets rather than private individuals and small businesses.听
Nevertheless, we feel obliged to ask the same question we did in Jaunary:
