While at NTEA’s Work Truck Show 2012, we attended an exclusive Via Motors press conference to learn about its “first-of-kind” extended-range electric vehicle, which is being picked up by communications giant Verizon.

Kraig Higginson, CEO of VIA Motors, and Ken McKenney, Verizon’s director of fleet sustainability, discussed the price of the Level 2 electric van, and explained its payback potential (primarily through fuel savings) and time frame. Also of note, the vehicle serves as a mobile generator, something of great importance to Verizon when the power goes out.