User:Mtberkm/Bright Automotive

Bright IDEA plug-in hybrid delivery truck exhibited at the 2010 Washington Auto Show.

Bright Automotive is a startup company based in Anderson, Indiana that is focused on creating a fuel-efficient line of electric plug-in vehicles . The company was started in 2008 with a team of employees from companies such as Google.org and Alcoa and has since designed its first vehicle, the IDEA . The IDEA is an electric plug-in hybrid fleet vehicle designed to reduce fuel costs for corporations that maintain a large fleet. Bright also has a service branch called eSolutions that focuses on speeding up the process of car electrification with consulting and conversions. Bright's CEO, Reuben Munger has stated that he wishes to see the IDEA in production by 2013.

History

Bright Automotive was started in 2008 as the offspring of the non-profit Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) under the leadership of John E. Waters. Waters spent years at General Motors and was the inventor of the battery device used in their first electric vehicle, the EV1, in the late 1990s . By the end of 2008, Bright had acquired $17 million of initial funding with plans to obtain more . Then, notably, a new branch of General Motors called General Motors Ventures, LLC invested $5 million in Bright in August of 2010 as its first investment in the innovative transportation technology realm .This investment by General Motors Ventures, LLC was an important development for Bright, providing both funds and recognition. Bright has also applied for a $450 million loan from the Department of Energy under their $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program; however, the application for the loan has been neither approved nor denied yet .

Cars

The IDEA

The Bright Automotive IDEA is a hybrid/electric light cargo vehicle that is said by Bright to get about 100 miles per gallon for customers who drive 60 miles per day. It uses pure electric propulsion for the first 40 miles of a trip and then changes over to hybrid mode with a 4-cylinder, 2-liter internal combustion engine . The IDEA has 180 cubic feet of cargo space with a load capacity of 2000 pounds, and a curb weight of 3200 pounds . One of Bright's main goals in designing the IDEA was to keep the cost of the battery low. This was accomplished by starting the design process from scratch. Bright used aluminum for the body, which is lighter than the customary steel used in other cars. Also, Bright created an aerodynamic car and used low rolling resistance tires to increase efficiency. All these factors lead to a car that is light and moves efficiently, allowing the use of a smaller battery . The IDEA was designed as a fleet vehicle for corporations and governments with fuel efficiency and cost-savings in mind. According to Bright, most current light cargo vehicles only have a fuel economy of about 15 miles per gallon and the improved fuel efficiency of the IDEA could save companies money in the long run.

Services

In late 2009, Bright launched the eSolutions service, which combines with current vehicle parts manufacturers to help speed up the process of vehicle electrification. This process involves partnering with car component manufacturers to create lighter, more aerodynamic parts that can then be used in future electric vehicles. Essentially, Bright is using its experience with electric car technology to make electric vehicles more easily produceable . eSolutions' first contract is with the US Army Tank Command (TACOM) to test electric plug-in technology on non-combat vehicles. This contract, worth $1.4 million, will test whether or not hybrid technology is advanced enough to replace present non-combat military vehicles. eSolutions is currently providing the main income for Bright .

Conversions

While eSolutions focuses on a broad spectrum of electric car services, one of its main focuses is plug-in technology retrofitting. This involves taking a currently combustion engine powered car and turning it either into a hybrid or a fully electric car. Bright advertises the service specifically for the VW Routan, VW Transporter, and the Dodge Grand Caravan; however, they are able to retrofit essentially any vehicle .

Production Goals

Bright Automotive has stated that it wishes to commence production of the IDEA by 2013. This is pushed back from their initial plan of starting production in the fourth quarter of 2012, and could still be an ambitious goal due to finiancial issues . When production does begin, Bright hopes to manufacture 50,000 IDEAs annually. Currently, the biggest obstacle blocking the production of the IDEA is a lack of funding.

Leadership

Currently, the CEO of Bright Automotive is Reuben Munger, the founder of Vision Ridge Partners, which is an investment company that specializes in clean technology. Munger was also a Managing Director at Baupost Group, LLC investing firm . Bright’s COO is Mike Donoughe, who spent 28 years working for US Steel, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla.