VIA Motors acquires fully contented vehicles from original automakers and converts them into electric range-extended vehicles by replacing the engine, transmission and drive-train components with non-combustion technology. Its E-REV trucks and SUVs use batteries that provide roughly 40 miles of electric range, after which an onboard gasoline generator charges the battery; the generator could be adapted for biofuels or hydrogen fuel cells in the future. The company has sold converted vehicles to fleet and pilot customers, including PG&E, and has converted models such as the Chevrolet Silverado and previously the Hummer H3. VIA plans to use outsourced manufacturing partners to increase production through 2013 and then is likely to invest in factories to assemble its own vehicles. The firm spun out from publicly traded Raser Technologies in 2010.

Total raised

$5M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Mar 2011