Plug-In hybrid a Bright IDEA

subscribe

Bright Automotive, Inc. announced that its first vehicle — a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that will achieve 100 mpg for an average customer — will be called the IDEA. A concept version of the IDEA will be shown to the public for the first time on April 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

"We named our first vehicle the IDEA because of the role it will play in helping revolutionize American transportation and moving the country toward a more secure and sustainable energy future," said John Waters, CEO and president of Bright Automotive. "We know it is possible to achieve dramatic, breakthrough fuel efficiency and deliver tremendous customer value. This is the compelling idea that drives our company and it is fully captured in our first vehicle."

Bright Automotive will begin high volume production by the end of 2012 - with an annual run rate of 50,000 units. To produce its vehicle, the company plans to create over 5,000 jobs by 2013.

Waters continued, "We created the IDEA by starting with a clean sheet, listening to customer needs, and using breakthrough technologies and materials. The IDEA will deliver superior fuel-efficient performance and a lower cost of ownership than competing traditionally powered vehicles. At the same time, it will help to re-invigorate the American auto industry and create thousands of new 'green collar' jobs here in the U.S."

To achieve groundbreaking fuel efficiency, Bright Automotive is maximizing platform efficiency, by incorporating lightweight materials, advanced aerodynamics and low-rolling resistance tires to use less combined energy. On a full charge, the IDEA will operate in all-electric mode for the first 30 miles before switching to hybrid mode for a full range of 400 miles. For a typical drive of 50 miles, the vehicle consumes 1/2 gallon of gasoline - equivalent to 100 mpg fuel efficiency.

Bright Automotive was launched out of the Rocky Mountain Institute, where it had the great benefit of visionary leadership from partners including Alcoa, Duke Energy, Google.org, Johnson Controls, and the Turner Foundation.

Related News

old dam

Some old dams are being given a new power: generating clean electricity

TORONTO - As countries race to get their power grids off fossil fuels to fight climate change, there's a big push in the U.S. to upgrade dams built for purposes such as water management or navigation with a feature they never had before — hydroelectric turbines. 

And the strategy is being used in parts of Canada, too.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says only three per cent of 90,000 U.S. dams currently generate electricity. A 2012 report from the U.S. Department of Energy found that those dams have 12,000 megawatts (MW) of potential hydroelectric generation capacity. (According to the National Hydropower Association,…

READ MORE
B.C. Streamlines Regulatory Process for Clean Energy Projects

B.C. Streamlines Regulatory Process for Clean Energy Projects

READ MORE

hybrid fuel cell

Chief Scientist: we need to transform our world into a sustainable ‘electric planet’

READ MORE

clean electricity chart

Biden calls for 100 percent clean electricity by 2035. Here’s how far we have to go.

READ MORE

grounding and bonding nec 250

Grounding and Bonding and The NEC - Section 250

READ MORE