PHEV Consortium ∨
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Design Philosophy
GOAL
Work with an innovative consortium to design and commercialize a practical plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
CHALLENGE
Collaboration between five different entities to create an integrated, whole-system design solution for a PHEV.
METHOD
Research, collaboration, Innovation Lab, fundraising for company launch
OUTCOME
RMI launched Bright Automotive in January 2008, to develop and commercialize the PHEV designed at the Innovation Workshop.
OVERVIEW
Worldwide, transportation results in 23 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, transportation consumes irreplaceable fossil fuel resources and emitting other pollutants that contribute to declining air quality in cities.
Many major auto manufacturers have worked for years on fuel cells and other long-term technologies to reduce our dependence on oil. But these technologies are not yet viable for mass production and use.
In contrast, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) offer a very practical near-term solution that leverages the existing electrical infrastructure to reduce fuel consumption and well-to-wheels emissions.
With funding and help from the Rose Family Foundation, RMI formed a consortium in early 2007 to develop and commercialize a PHEV designed from the ground-up for efficiency.
Members included: Alcoa (expertise in innovative lightweight structures), JCI (automotive interiors, energy storage and heating/air conditioning), Google.org (software and information systems development), and the Turner Foundation (creating entrepreneurial solutions for sustainable living). RMI’s background in whole-system solutions, lightweight vehicle design (see Hypercar), electric/hybrid vehicles and energy storage completed the picture.
In 2007, RMI held a four-day intensive workshop to develop a technical, business, and user vision for this vehicle, with participation of all the consortium members, potential customers and external experts.
The workshop -- facilitated in conjunction with design firm IDEO -- consisted of plenary discussions alternating with small, focused breakout groups to brainstorm ideas, receive feedback, and converge on the best whole-system design solutions. The Innovation Lab culminated in the construction of a full-scale prototype of the PHEV design, integrating the different subsystems.
One participant commented, “In my entire career of building cars and airplanes and all sorts of toys, this is the quickest build-up for a car I’ve ever seen.”
After the Lab, each partner continued to further the concepts from the workshop within their organization and to share the results with the consortium. Several of the concepts discussed at the workshop launched new projects for this PHEV and other applications.
At RMI, the PHEV concept was considered viable enough to explore the possibilities of bringing a lightweight, fully functional PHEV to the U.S. market.
To that end, RMI lead an effort to raise investment funding to launch a for-profit company, Bright Automotive, dedicated to the development and commercialization of this PHEV.