Bright Automotive Launches Bright eSolutions; US Army Hybrid Vehicle Contract

26 October 2009

Bright Automotive, Inc., the developer of the purpose-built, plug-in hybrid IDEA (earlier post) launched of Bright eSolutions to support automotive customers worldwide to accelerate vehicle electrification, lightweighting, and overall platform efficiency. Bright Automotive launched eSolutions with a just-announced contract from the US Army TACOM to conduct a demonstration project on a low-cost plug-in hybrid electric solution for non-tactical military vehicles.

Bright eSolutions will work with TACOM to demonstrate the feasibility of Bright Automotive’s parallel hybrid technology for military non-combat use. As part of the $1.4 million contract, eSolutions will also work with the US Army to demonstrate the ability of plug-in hybrid vehicles to deliver power to the grid (V2G).

The IDEA is a multi-purpose, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle aimed at commercial and government fleets. Bright eSolutions will offer clients expert guidance on a variety of strategies in the field of EV/PHEV vehicle development, from EV powertrain integration and conversions, to aerodynamics and lightweighting, to battery cell engineering. Bright eSolutions will focus on:

• Vehicle Design
• Vehicle Engineering
• Energy Storage
• Propulsion
• Conversions
• General Consulting

Bright eSolutions is led by Nigel Francis, Vice President. Francis’ automotive industry experience includes the acquisition and delivery of several hybrid vehicles. He has had active leadership roles working with vehicle design and engineering of US OEMs, systems integrators and tier suppliers, including Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Orion Bus, Magna, Eaton, Continental and others.

IDEA performance upgrade. Last week, Bright Automotive announced improved performance figures for the IDEA, resulting from a new 13 kWh battery pack. The IDEA can now operate for 40 miles in charge depletion (EV) mode, and then switch to a class-leading 36 MPG (minimum) charge sustaining (standard hybrid) mode. For many fleet operators, the added EV range will allow them to operate almost entirely gasoline-free, Bright said. The initial IDEA had an all-electric range of 30 miles.