Bright Idea
Bright Automotive has announced updated technology and numbers on its Idea Cargo, plug-in hybrid, PHEV.
The gist is that Bright Automotive is looking at the electric drive revolution in a pragmatic way, via fleets and cargo space. With the introduction of its Idea Cargo based on a plug-in hybrid, PHEV platform, the company aims squarely at businesses interested in cutting down on gas costs.
Technically Speaking. The upgraded PHEV will sport a new 13kwHr battery pack that will deliver 40 miles on electricity alone, which they calculate would be around 36 MPG in normal hybrid mode. Not bad for a cargo van. The Idea Cargos should typically save fleets and governments 18 cents per mile, reduce gasoline use by 1,500 gallons per year, and reduce CO2 emissions by 16 tons per year, according their site.
When asked how Bright Automotive got to these numbers, their assumptions were as follows: that the price of gas will hover around $3.15/gallon in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Energy estimate and based on a drive cycle of 80 miles per day, 5 days per week, 50 weeks per year, which would equal 20,000 miles a year. Calculations were done using the “LA92” drive cycle with 150,000 miles vehicle life and competitive comparisons based on weighted average volume of 2007 plus 2008 model year sales. Lastly, the fuel economy, range and performance are based on an empty vehicle, while the CO2 emission and fuel savings are based on a normally weighed vehicle.
Good news from Bright Automotive that is aiming at a market that will get PHEVs and EVs en mass out there.