Bright Idea

Someday we’ll likely laugh at ourselves for thinking that 27 miles per gallon is good gas mileage. That is, if developments from companies like Bright Automotive take off.

During the week of Earth Day, Bright unveiled a vehicle that gets 100 mpg. Called “Idea,” it’s a plug-in hybrid electric minivan that makes up in mileage for what it lacks in style. With 180 cubic feet of interior space, Idea is meant to be a commercial utility vehicle.

Bright has applied for a $450 million federal grant to begin mass production on the Idea by 2012. Bright’s CEO, John Waters, developed the battery for the EV1, General Motors’ first electric car.