VTRUX Plug-In Hybrid Truck Doubles As Emergency Power Generator
The new VTRUX plug-in hybrid truck from Via Motors seems to have a lot of upside — a large and sturdy body, good hauling power, handy 120- and 240-volt power outlets, and even the ability to function as an emergency power generator, thanks to its 300-kilowatt motor and 150-kilowatt generator.
The emergency power generator abilities were recently unveiled by VTRUX at San Francisco’s recent Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative event, sponsored by PG&E.
Autoblog Green has more: “The VTRUX is based on the Chevrolet Silverado and was displayed at the event alongside models such as the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and a Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in. Via first showed off its pickup (and SUV and van models with similar powertrains) at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2012, and added its heavier-duty XTRUX line earlier this year. At the time, Lutz said the beasts could achieve fuel efficiency levels of more than 100 miles per gallon.”
Sounds like a useful vehicle! Good fuel efficiency, a good size, electrical outlets for tool use, and the ability to function effectively as an emergency power generator — so long as the price isn’t too high, it’s hard to see how the vehicle wouldn’t find itself a niche.
But there may be some holdup in that regard: “Nothing’s set in stone yet, but the SUV (Suburban) may cost around $70,000 while the truck could be a bit more expensive: $79,000. The cost may come down a bit by the time private customers get a chance to buy any of these work vehicles in 2013.”
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You’d be using the 150 kW generator, not the electric motor to generate 120 VAC and 240 VAC power for home, or other, use.
150 kW seems excessive to me. 1/10th of that, 15 kW is good enough for most homes and seems like you would not need that much if you could charge the battery at the same time as you were driving on the electric motor, basically a steady load requirement with the electrical part handling the temporary demands of acceleration and hill climbing. (In Series mode, I’m assuming they do not have or need a parallel mode.)
What is the size of the generator in the GM Volt? (They do have a parallel mode.)
Work sites. Compressors, saws, lights, boom box, ….
Probably don’t need 150 kW, but big boys, big toys = bragging rights.
Now if they could just knock that price down by 50% …or if Tesla could do this on their SUV/EV and add a generator option that would make it a series EREV, so I could travel to the woods and rivers on the weekends, where they won’t have EV chargers for a few more years.
This could be just the right thing to get EVs into this market segment. Imagine pulling up to a tailgate party in a truck with a fridge, plasma TV and music – all plugged into an electrical outlet? Perfect solution for camping trips and emergency power outages as well. Nice.