NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 22, 2009)—Bridgestone Americas is equipping a “green” concept vehicle introduced by Bright Automotive with Bridgestone Turanza tires.
Bright Automotive is a new automotive manufacturer focused on producing clean energy vehicles in the U.S. The concept car—called the IDEA—is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that Bright Automotive claims will achieve 100 mpg.
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was unveiled April 21 in a briefing ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress and representatives from companies involved with the vehicle attended the event.
Although the concept vehicle is sporting Bridgestone Turanza tires, the IDEA eventually will be fitted with Bridgestone Ecopia tires as the OE fitment.
Bright Automotive aims to maximize platform and fuel efficiency by incorporating lightweight materials, advanced aerodynamics and low-rolling resistance tires to use less combined energy, according to Bridgestone.
On a full charge, the IDEA will operate in all-electric mode for the first 30 miles before switching to hybrid mode for a full range of 400 miles, Bridgestone claimed. The IDEA is said to consume a half gallon of gasoline during a 50-mile drive.
Bright Automotive CEO and President John Waters developed the battery pack for General Motors Corp.'s first production electric vehicle, the EV1.