Via Motors Electric Trucks & Vans As Cheap As Conventional Ones In Chicago
Originally published on EV Obsession.
A new extended-range electric vehicle (EV) voucher program for fleet + business owners in the Chicago area was recently unveiled by VIA Motors — with the stated intention of reducing the initial costs associated with purchasing one (or more) of its units.
The voucher program applies to the EV company’s extended-range pickup trucks, passenger vans, and electric cargo vans — which are all currently being sold under the VTRUX brand name.
To provide some more-specific information here, the new Drive Clean Chicago voucher program is available to those located within the DuPage, Kane, Cook, McHenry, Lake, and Will, counties. There are actually 3 different voucher options available — there’s a $41,200 voucher available for the Extended Range Electric Pickup; there’s a $39,460 voucher available for the Extended Range Electric Passenger Van; and there’s a $42,892 voucher available for the Extended Range Electric Cargo Van.
Something that’s very much worth noting here is that these extended-range offerings from VIA Motors are already eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Incentive — which means that when the voucher and tax incentives are combined, most fleet or business owners will be in the position to purchase one of the extended-range vehicles for roughly the same upfront price of a conventional one.
When you add in the substantial operational savings of such vehicles, that really makes this deal look rather attractive, doesn’t it? It’s actually a no-brainer. I’ll be very interested to see how this new voucher program plays out — I suppose that it’ll say quite a lot about the future prospects of VIA Motors.
Image Credit: VIA Motors
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I want one. When will they start selling to individuals?
Eh, a little misleading – the voucher program caps out at the mentioned values or “80% of incremental cost.” So after the voucher the electric version is going to cost 20% more up front (minus the Federal rebate which is applied after to my understanding). So on a $74k VIA truck (comparable to a $40k comparable ICE vehicle), they would pay $27.2k would cost $6.8k extra – $7,500 federal or $700 LESS for the electric version.
So the electric version is cheaper… unless I missed something?
And where is this voucher money coming from? And how can I get in on this? I’ve been asking for an affordable range extended electric truck for years…
Just walk away, I did the homework on this Electric crew cab truck and it was far from economical. I asked for a price and delivery and warranty. I got the shock of my life when I got the price. What I would have to pay a General Motors Dealer for delivery. Now get this…I could only get service 2000 miles away, at my expense. I live in Canada but I also live next door to a bridge to USA. If you don’t oil spray your truck where I live, the truck will rust away within 5yrs or less. VIA MOTORS told me on the phone that I couldn’t oil spray this truck. My Neighbor traded in his 2014 crew cab Chevy truck with 20000 km for a 2016 crew cab truck with an upgraded radio. Nav. Both trucks have had radio problems such as the volume going full blast. The dealership omitted that General Motors cheeped out on the sound system. I’ve got a mint condition crew cab 2006 Chevy that I bought new. The fan motor wiring harness was replaced under a recall. As of the rest of the problems. I paid out of pocket. The Wife’s Cobalt was a death trap. It had problems from the get go. I paid for things that later General Motors omitted to. The key was only suppose to have one key on it and nothing else or it could break and shut the car off wile she was in traffic. The last thing was a gas leak that we got a recall for but three different dealerships would not address nor replace the part. Said it was all in her head. We sold the Cobalt and bought a 2016 Dodge Rebel with everything included. 8.4″ touch screen with Nav plus sun roof and all the tow package. Too many toys to list. Even with the cost of gas the New Dodge Rebel pickup truck is more truck than the VIA Motors Truck. Remember the first Calculators cost over $600.00 and did very little. A more advance one can be bought years later at a dollar store for a buck.