ANDERSON — A piece of Anderson technology is about to make its world debut.
On Tuesday, Anderson-based Bright Automotive will unveil a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle it calls the “Idea” in Washington, D.C. The vehicle is expected to get 100 miles per gallon and was developed at Bright’s headquarters at the Flagship Enterprise Center.
“We founded the company based on doing the right thing for the transportation sector,” said Bright President and CEO John Waters. “We’ve leveraged some of our expertise of our team’s abilities, which is strongly experienced in advanced automotive technology, electrification of vehicles and sustainability.”
Bright Automotive applied for $450 million in loans as part of the Section 136/Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program in its plans to produce 50,000 vehicles by the end of 2012.
On Tuesday morning, the company will hold a briefing before members of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Mike Pence, and perform a vehicle preview on the streets of Washington. Carol Browner, chief energy counselor to President Barack Obama, is expected to attend, along with companies interested in fuel-efficient transportation, including Duke Energy and Frito-Lay North America.
Waters said the vehicle has undergone “stealth tests” on public streets but, for all practical purposes, Tuesday will mark the Idea’s world premiere.
“It has been no easy task to keep all the excitement below the radar screen,” said Chuck Staley, president and CEO of the Flagship. “They have assembled a literal ‘who’s who’ in the world of plug-in-hybrid technology.”
In January 2008, Staley said, Bright took up residence at the Flagship Enterprise Center. Since then, the company has expanded to take over the entire east wing of the main building, adding an advanced dynamometer to test the prototype.
Staley said the Idea represents “disruptive” technology, the kind of radical new product that can fundamentally alter an industry. Not only can it run 30 miles on electricity alone, but the car is made from recyclable materials — mostly aluminum — and uses advanced aerodynamics.
“It is history in the making and all the R and D occurred in Anderson,” Staley said. “Much is at stake and it will require our state and federal representatives to weigh-in, as well.”
Bright plans to create 550 new jobs through 2010 and more than 5,000 by 2013. That may sound ambitious for a 15-month-old startup company, but Bright has the pedigree to pull it off.
Waters invented the battery pack system for General Motors Corp.’s first electric vehicle, the EV1. He helped launch Delphi Corp.’s lithium battery business, led lithium battery manufacturer EnerDel and developed lithium battery systems for the Segway and iBot medical device. Bright began to germinate when Waters met hedge fund manager Reuben Munger.
The project has already attracted input and support from Google, the Turner Foundation, Alcoa, Johnson Controls and the Rocky Mountain Institute.
During an April 8 appearance at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Bright announced its intentions to bring the vehicle to Washington. He was joined by Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob and CEO of Energy Systems Network Paul Mitchell.
“I think what this group is capable of doing is looking at the automobile from a systems-engineering perspective,” Mike Hudson of Anderson-based iPower told the Indianapolis Star. “They’re trying to synthesize the solution rather than start off from the perspective of a traditional auto platform.”
Should Bright get the go-ahead to begin production, it will be looking for a permanent home and Staley believes it will take the cooperation of government officials at the local, state and federal levels to keep the company in Anderson.
Not coincidentally, several local officials will be accompanying the Bright contingent to Washington: Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson, Anderson Deputy Mayor Greg Graham, Rob Sparks of the Madison County Economic Development Corporation and Jerry Bridges of the Madison County Council of Governments.
“It’s ours to lose,” he said.
Bright plans to take the Idea to Norway in May for the Electric Vehicle Symposium, also known as EVS24.------
Follow the unveiling of the Bright ‘Idea’
— The Herald Bulletin will report live from Washington, D.C. as Anderson-based Bright Automotive reveals its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle the “Idea.” Look for updates throughout the day Tuesday at www.theheraldbulletin.com, follow developments on Twitter (twitter.com/heraldbulletin) and look for coverage in the Wednesday, April 22, newspaper.
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Bright Automotive Inc.
— Founded: January 2008
— Based at the Flagship Enterprise Center in Anderson
— Personnel: President and CEO John Waters, chief financial officer Jerry D. Bernier, vice president of marketing and sales Lyle Shuey, vice president of corporate strategy Michael Brylawski, vice president of product development Dave Lauzun, vice president of operations and supply chain James L. McCollough, vice president of design David B. Busch, systems engineer Dave Crecelius, hybrid systems architect Jeff Ronning, vice president of vehicle engineering Hadrian A. Rori, chairman Reuben Munger
