Indiana-based Bright Automotive used the week of Earth Day events in Washington D.C. to showcase its signature vehicle. The Idea commercial utility van was debuted ahead of the company’s request for $450 million in federal funding for mass production of the vehicle. The Bright Auto Idea’s major selling point is an estimated 100 miles per gallon with a combination gas/electric drive train.
The Bright Auto Idea is a plug-in hybrid with sliding side doors, retractable passenger seat and one ton of cargo capacity. The 100 MPG range was reached by measuring the short distance of all-electric power along with the transition phase where gas and electric are used simultaneously. Bright Automotive claims that the Idea can travel 30 miles on electric power and 20 miles on hybrid power, reaching 50 miles on a half-gallon of fuel. Since the Bright Auto Idea is designed for manufacturing facilities and military bases, the company’s executives are counting on short distances to ensure high fuel mileage.
In addition to a hybrid drive train, the Bright Auto Idea is built with lightweight materials to increase fuel mileage. The low-rolling resistance tires are designed to wear well over thousands of miles to avoid tread wear that can influence gas usage. Bright Automotive worked with Alcoa to outfit the Idea with advanced aluminum panels to blend durability and lightweight construction. The remainder of the Idea’s exterior is designed with plastic and metal composites to meet safety standards without bogging down the hybrid drive train.
Bright Automotive anticipates production of the Idea by 2012 if it receives funding from the federal government. Once the company’s Indiana facility is running, an annual quota of 50,000 units per year could be produced starting in 2013. Bright Automotive executives are touting the fuel efficiency of the Idea along with the 5,000 jobs that would be created as it seeks federal funding for mass production.
The Bright Auto Idea has received interest from fleet buyers like Alcoa, Frito Lay and Cox Communications. The upstart automaker is hoping that this interest will encourage the federal government to act as an investor as well as a prospective customer. The federal government’s growing commitment to hybrid vehicles along with the limited scope of the Bright Auto Idea may conspire to encourage funding below $450 million. While we focus largely on hybrid cars and trucks, America needs vehicles like the Idea that will use less fuel while doing the work of businesses and government agencies.
