WASHINGTON — Bright Automotive may have a brilliant idea in its new hybrid-electric car, but that idea will go dark without support.
The transition from internal combustion engines to sleek, electric models will require a new kind of infrastructure and new support businesses with electricity in mind.
Robert Noble, founder and CEO of Envision Solar, based in LaJolla, Calif., has been working closely with Bright to develop the next generation of power stations. Instead of gas pumps, Envision envisions solar-powered quick-charge stations that will give the electric driver a source of power on the road.
“We’re a solar company and we do solar-integrated building systems, which are solar parking arrays,” Noble said. “The structures have solar panels on top and provide clean energy.”
For electric cars to be truly green, Noble said, they cannot be powered by dirty coal-burning plants.
“That’s always the questions for electric-vehicle companies,” he said. “OK, you’re using electricity generated from a coal powered plant, why not get that electricity from solar or wind? That’s the side we’re on. We create solar power plants that replace conventional power plants and it’s clean energy.”
After Bright’s presentation of the Idea before members of the Senate, several companies piggy-backed off its media event Tuesday, showing off their own alternative-fuel vehicles. Chrysler brought its GEM e4 and Town and Country EV, while PepCo showed off a hybrid-powered utility truck, complete with cherry-picker.
Helda Rodriguez, president of Nova Charge, meanwhile, was showing off the “Clean Charge” station developed alongside Envision and Coulomb. She said the system is already in place in San Jose, San Francisco and Orlando.
“The infrastructure needs to be in place before the vehicle arrives,” Rodriguez said. “Otherwise, your market is limited to people with a garage. These open it up to people in apartments, dormitories, because its access to charge. We want to be everywhere people work and play.”
Local Business
Transportation transformed
Electric cars would require infrastructure, support
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