The US Department of Energy (DOE) has contracted VIA Motors, an American electric vehicle development company, to develop and deliver electric pick-up trucks and vans to more than 50 participating fleets.
As a part of the $20m deal, VIA will install proprietary technology to record and transmit real-time data into each vehicle, which enables the DOE to quantify improvements in fuel economy and emissions.
The technology installed in each vehicle will record and transmit data to the Idaho National Lab (INL), national labs operated by the DOE, for analysis by the DOE and EPRI.
The DOE will publish the data for use by government agencies, participating fleets and the general public to help quantify the benefits of operating plug-in electric vehicles.
SCAQMD science and technology advancement deputy executive officer Matt Miyasato said: "Expanding the commercialization of near zero-emission vehicles to include pickups and cargo vans will drive us closer to our goal of a near-zero emission transportation sector."
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will manage this contract and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) will act as the project manager
Image: VIA Motors to develop and deliver electric pick-up trucks and vans worth $20m. Photo courtesy: VIA Motors Inc.
