I guess ya gotta start somewhere but 40 miles range? That's pretty pathetic.

What, no square fender openings yet? lol

*** SuperCrew *** What, no square fender openings yet? lol

Look back at the history of Ford pickups and you will see they loved the square fender back in the day. Even in the 80's the fenders were not round. Then check out the 50's and a very strange design in the 60's.

@ Peter... "old trends and designs" are just that... I'm focused on today's designs. My taste, round wheels, round openings. My taste. Hell back then since you're looking, we all had square headlights! But that was then.

They only way this company survives is with taxpayer subsides. Black hole of waste, even so it will likely collapse. Give it 2 years there aren't enough Govt agency's to keep them in business. If they wanted extended range install a larger gas tank.

The price of gas is coming down so the excitement of alternative fuel or electric vehicles is fading away.

Pictures of new 2014 Silverado 1500 LT, 750 miles, rusted frame. http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Silverado_1500/2014/body_paint/excessive_rust_corrosion_on_chassis_and_suspension_components.shtml#1.

I would not say its pathetic, this is close to what the Volt gets right? 40 on electric? It can go further than 40 on gas im sure. BUT whats the price I bet it something crazy.

@Mike C,

Right but the volt is aimed at a different market.
If you want to compare vans to vans, the Nissan e-NV200 gets 106 miles to a charge.

If the van is making deliveries all day or doing service calls, 40 miles in nothing. 106 miles might not even be enough but it's a lot better than 40.

This is not a light duty GM, he light duty 1500 was cancelled.

@maXx Yes, the e-NV200 gets about 100 miles per charge, but then it's dead in the water.
The Via system gets 40 miles on electricity, then the gas engine kicks in to let you drive another 300-400 miles before you have to put more gas in.
It's the same idea as the Volt. 40 miles seem pretty small, but 75% of people drive less than 40 miles a day in the US.

The dimwits haven't got it yet. After 100+ years of putting batteries in cars, the range is still poor at best. Meanwhile, Diesels and especially modern Turbo-Diesels are going further and further on less fuel.

Good effort but, perhaps they can take a page from either New Flyer, Nova Bus or Proterra bus manufactures or maybe even Tesla Motors as to how they can come up with a better Battery Range Package for GM's aging Vans, remember back in 2008/2009 they tried this for the Last Generation Silverado, we haven't got much of a follow-up report on the package for that truck since the introduction, perhaps due in part that those EPA numbers were not much of wow factor either.

"Light duty 1500 Van." That's rough, probably limits it to just a few passengers. The battery weight has to be substantial.

Previewing your Comment
Via (pronounced veeyah) Motors has just announced it has EPA certification for the newest model in its VTRUX lineup: a full-size light-duty van that can travel 40 miles on electricity and get more than 100 mpg in typical daily driving. The certification means that Via can now sell the van to fleets across the country. Because the new electric powertrains include a combustion engine that acts as a generator when the battery power falls below a certain level
/QUOTE

100 MPG folks let's see any diesel in big van truck beat that!
And it's plenty of range in E mode for my daily needs so wouldn't even need have to fill the gas tank LOL
Now why doesn't GM build these full size hybrids??
Under control by the Big Oil Corps maybe?
Posted by: Chevrolet build a better way to see the USA |

Quote @Ed
The dimwits haven't got it yet. After 100+ years of putting batteries in cars, the range is still poor at best. Meanwhile, Diesels and especially modern Turbo-Diesels are going further and further on less fuel.
/QUOTE

You should READ that post again and PAY attention
No diesel can even come close to hybrid electric truck

First of all,the cost of leasing,or owning one of the trucks is just under $100,000 and if you live in Canada where they put salt on the roads. You have to oil spray the truck. May void the warranty. GM only wants you to keep the truck for 5yrs than buy new again. the e test for seven year or older. The batteries won't last past 3 to 4 years. Customers has to come good. not Warranty because GM will call this a ware item. almost $3000.00
to replace. Call your local GM. dealer and ask about service. I did and I called others. There is no one able to answer basic questions. If you have a fender bender? who will repair the electronics? And the cost of Insurance per month on a six
star person on $100,000 truck that you make payments on. Lowest I found was just under $300.00 per month. Due the math. Too high a price. It can't pay for its self. Remember they are only pointing out ideal conditions. Don't walk away...RUN!

@Ken, That's all complete BS.
The purchase cost of the Via trucks is around $80k, not 100k.
Why would you have to oil spray the truck? They're no different than any other vehicle, and already have corrosion protection.
The batteries will last a lot longer than 3 years. Stop throwing that stupid assumption around. It's been proven wrong thousands of times. There are Priuses out there with 200k miles and the original batteries. There are also Volts out there with 150k and no battery degradation at all.
This isn't a GM product, Via takes responsibility for it. If you have a problem, you call them, not GM.

@Voltage, I got a price in Canada for a 4X4 4 door red 2014 at the time, and its not BS. You are looking at the US price not Canadian prices. Go to the VIA website and READ! Yes read where and who does the warranty! We get -temps here for months and that is hard on any battery. They told me on the phone last June that the batteries should last at least 5yrs. Knowing the cold snaps we have had in the past, not too many car's or truck's batteries last 5yrs. Andy Told me on the phone that the truck would be delivered to the closest chevrolet dealer or another one of my choice. Also if you payed attention to the part of salt. Untreated cars and trucks won't last 8 years here. And what are you talking about corrosion protection? The little electronic devise that's stops rust? Please... that was proven time and time again to be BS.
Just like your back lash towards me. Food for thought, My friend at the end of the road. We both bought new trucks a week apart. His was a regular cab, mine was a crew cab 4 door. very close to same mileage. He bought the corrosion protection. I get mine oil sprayed every year from crown rust protection. My truck still looks like new. His is rusting out and he even had to replace the box because the sides rusted out to the point that it was unsafe. Do your homework before you
comment crap on me. My words are 100% fact. Sounds like you are trying to feel in portion, I feel sad and sorry for you all at the same time.

The electric van idea is interesting. I wish Honda would make a hybrid mini van with even better gas mileage.