Startup plug-in hybrid maker Bright Automotive this week unveiled its first vehicle, a light truck aimed at commercial and government fleets.
The company said production of the vehicle, called the IDEA, will begin in the U.S. by the end of
2012–with an annual run rate of 50,000 units beginning in 2013.
Bright Automotive showed a fully operating concept version of the vehicle to a crowd that included Members of Congress, White House Officials, media, customer and supplier representatives at an event in Washington D.C.
Indiana-based Bright Automotive said the IDEA will be 5 to 10 times more efficient than current commercial fleets. The vehicle will save a typical customer more than 1,500 gallons of gasoline and thousands of dollars in fuel costs annually.
A key reason for such high efficiency is vehicle weight and aerodynamics: the curb weight target for the IDEA is 3200 pounds–1500 pounds less than the average competitor, the company said.
To achieve groundbreaking fuel efficiency, Bright Automotive is building the IDEA from the ground-up and maximizing platform efficiency by incorporating lightweight materials, advanced aerodynamics and low-rolling resistance tires.
On a full charge, the IDEA uses battery power for the first 30 miles, using little or no gasoline and less than $1 of electricity. After this, it functions like other hybrids. As an example of fuel efficiency, for commercial customers with a 50-mile daily urban route, the IDEA uses about 1/2 gallon of gas, which is equivalent to getting 100 mpg. For a 70 mile daily driver, 1 gallon of gas is used, similar to 70 mpg.
The IDEA features a 180-cu-ft., 1-ton cargo capacity and a patent-pending passenger seat that converts to a mobile office.
From the beginning of the design process, Bright Automotive consulted with over 50 fleet managers from leading American companies, involving them in the design process.
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