The new 100 MPG plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), IDEA, from Bright Automotive and Envision Solar’s CleanCharge/Solar Tree Charging Station will change the way Americans view the relationship between the future transportation and clean energy.
Envision Solar and its CleanCharge Initiative partners, incorporating Coulomb Technologies, Inc. (Coulomb Technologies) and Axion Power International, Inc. (Axion), will engineer and implement nationwide the new CleanCharge solar charging stations, initially designed for Bright Automotive’s new fleet of PHEVs. By partnering with experts like Coulomb Technologies and Axion, the CleanCharge systems will be versatile enough to be deployed to charge small electric vehicles or PHEVs, or for large-scale fleet projects. Bright Automotive is planning to start high-volume production of the revolutionary PHEV by the end of 2012.
“The future of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has arrived, and we are thrilled to be Bright’s solar partner of choice,” stated Envision Solar’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder, Robert Noble. “Our experience in solar innovation has allowed Envision Solar to lead the market in the development of solar charging stations.”
Envision Solar CEO and Founder Robert Noble explained at this event how the charging system harnesses the power of the sun to charge vehicles. The CleanCharge System incorporates: the parking shade structure known as the Solar Tree, solar photovoltaic modules, inverters, battery backup, Coulomb Technologies’ ChargePoint Networked Charging Station and Smart Meter technology. Photovoltaic modules have become icons of sustainability in much the same way that trees are icons of nature. The founders of Envision Solar have employed the principles of bio-mimicry to unite nature with clean energy in the new icon of the Solar Tree.
Envision Solar and its technology partners are working together to enable the infrastructure of Envison’s SolarTree charging stations. In early 2008, Envision Solar started development of its CleanCharge “Solar to Smart-Grid Integrated Electric Vehicle Charging System,” the first fully integrated, clean energy generation-to-grid/PHEV system.
Bright Automotive CEO John Waters also briefed members of the US Congress, customers, and suppliers at the event. He addressed the nation’s need for clean, efficient vehicles as a key component in reducing pollution, ending dependence on foreign oil, and creating green-collar US jobs. Waters explained what the featured companies are doing to help move the country toward a more secure and sustainable energy future.
Bright Automotive and Envision Solar will bring the IDEA and CleanCharge/Solar Tree System to Stavanger, Norway from May 13 to May 16, 2009 for the EVS24 towards zero emission.
“We are proud to be a part of this consortium that is creating real solutions to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” stated Richard Lowenthal, CEO of Coulomb Technologies. “This Earth Day event showcases the technology, infrastructure and vision needed to make electric vehicles running on the cleanest of energy sources a reality.”
Axion CEO Tom Granville stated, “Axion is delighted to have the opportunity to work on the CleanCharge™/Solar Tree® with industry leaders like Envision Solar and Bright Automotive. It serves to underscore the versatility of Axion’s PbC® product, whether the use is renewable energy storage or electric automotive.”
Bright Automotive is a US-based automotive manufacturer.
Envision Solar is a US-based solar integrated building systems developer.
