Green Options

Two interesting events took place last week in the electric vehicle industry: GM invited several journalists to take a ride in the Chevy Volt, and Tesla Motors’ CEO Elon Musk appeared on David Letterman. Despite appearances, these two events are tied together. Why? Because as GM continues to tout the Volt’s ability to get 40 miles per charge and that a driver can go weeks without using gasoline, the Tesla Roadster gets more than 100 miles per charge and never uses a drop of gas.

What’s so great about 40 miles per charge? The Volt’s technology will be outdated before it even hits the market in 2010.

As a matter of fact, David Letterman asked that very same question to Musk who has been vocal about his dislike of plug-in hybrids like the Volt. “The Volt has a range of 40 miles….that’s ridiculous…Oh Boy, we have the electric car at 40 miles per charge. That’s crap,” said Letterman.

This morning, Bright Automotive announced the world’s first plug-in hybrid aimed at government and commercial fleets.

Washington, D.C. - Indiana-based Bright Automotive just unveiled the IDEA, a 100 mpg plug-in hybrid cargo van intended to significantly reduce fuel consumption for the largest vehicle fleets in the US.

While in spring time Indiana’s thoughts generally turn from high school hoops to auto racing, Indianapolis last week launched a more than $200 million plan to put the region on the lead lap of the race to be a leader in hybrid vehicle technology.

The Indianapolis Star reports area business leaders are calling the effort the Energy Systems Network and says the effort hopes to draw on technical resources already in the region to create a hybrid economy.