Bright Automotive may only be considered a start-up company, but it is about to have a significant impact on one of the most important car manufacturers in the world – Volkswagen.
The company, which unveiled its IDEA concept series plug-in hybrid light commercial van in May, will now convert VW Transporter vans using the series hybrid Bright powertrain. This will provide a bridge between the concept and the production version of the IDEA.
According to Lyle Shuey, Bright’s vice president of marketing and sales, the converted Transporters are not as efficient as the purpose-built IDEA and the conversions are expensive. However, he believes that adding elements of the Bright IDEA to the Transporter gives fleet owners a more immediate solution that allows them to begin the preparation and learning for plug-in vehicles.
The converted Transporter will come in cargo, cab chassis and passenger versions and will have a 22mile all-electric range. It will have fuel economy of 57mpg based on a 50mile daily cycle.
The goal for Bright meanwhile, is to prove the platform works and get it into play. Bright will begin delivering the Transporter plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the second quarter of 2010.
