Bright Automotive is busy developing their own version of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that will achieve 100 mpg for the average customer. Also, the name has been finally revealed. The car will be called the IDEA. A concept version of the IDEA will be shown to the public for the first time on April 21, 2009 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 (www.brightautomotive.com) has the most experienced PHEV, hybrid and electric vehicle team in the industry. Waters developed the battery pack for General Motors’ first production electric vehicle, the EV1, and other company executives and engineers have spent years working for major auto manufacturers and suppliers. 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.

(Source) Press

Tags: american transportation, auto manufacturers, battery pack, capitol hill, customer value, dramatic breakthrough, electric vehicle team, EV1, fuel efficiency, General Motors, high volume, hybrid electric vehicle, john waters, major auto, MPG, phev, sustainable energy future, volume production

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The 2006 movie documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? comes up a lot these days now that GM and Chrysler have until March2009  to justify the federal bail-out loan granted just before Christmas of 2008. The movie tells the story of the EV1, a prototype vehicle created by GM in the 1990s and distributed by lease-only to prove to the state of CA that it was impossible to meet their new emissions standards with cars people would actually buy.

The movie makes the case that GM recalled and destroyed all the EV1s when it became clear that Californians loved them and wanted to buy them. GM claims that the EV1s cost $80,000 a piece to build and were impractical to mass produce. Today only a few EV1s remain, all of them in museums. The Ev1 had a range of up to 75 miles on a single charge, and was a totally electric vehicle. Leasing costs ran approximately $299 per month.

Tags: EV1, GM

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No matter what, America will get the Chevy Volt. On time. That is the battle cry over at General Motors these days, and it’s being echoed once again on the pages of The Wall Street Journal. Still, there is reason to be skeptical as the Feds have yet to agree on a loan package for the struggling Detroit automakers. The General has just announced that it’s stopping work on the plant in Flint, Michigan, where the Volt’s 1.4L range-extender was to be built alongside the powerplants slated to go under the hood of the new Cruze compact. Regardless, says GM, nothing will stop the Volt project from moving forward, not even Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Engines can be imported from overseas.

Where will the money come from? That’s a big question mark, but GM spokespeople suggest that whatever funds there are will be diverted to the Volt program. Some may question if this is a good idea, especially considering that the extended-range electric car isn’t going to be a big money-maker for the beleaguered automaker. GM counters those claims by saying it has promised the green car to Americans eager to reduce their use of oil. In other words, it would be a PR disaster not seen since the crushing end of the EV1 if the Volt didn’t make it as scheduled.

Tags: Chevrolet, Chevy, EV1, GM, Volt

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