Senator Evan Bayh, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, joined executives from Anderson-based Bright Automotive to unveil a concept version of the company’s new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that gets 100 miles to the gallon. Bright officials demonstrated their new vehicle, the IDEA, to Senator Bayh, who discussed Indiana’s role as a national leader in making the high-mileage, high-tech cars of the future.

Senator Bayh’s remarks are as follows:

“The opportunity to create common ground, to create jobs at a time when the economy is struggling, to free us from our dependency on energy imports, to improve our nation’s security which is undermined by being dependent on places like the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia, to improve our climate and to deal with that issue at a time when Congress will be taking that up later this year, all of these things come together today in a single announcement.

"I’m proud of the fact that it is an Indiana company once again leading the way. We have been at the epicenter of today and yesterday’s automotive industry, and this gives us an opportunity to be at the forefront of tomorrow’s automotive industry as well. I understand that this initiative will create up to 550 jobs by 2010, and perhaps 5,000 shortly thereafter. That is a significant addition to our state and to our country’s economy, particularly in a sector that has had some difficulties lately.

"A vehicle that will achieve 100 miles per gallon: this is transformative. It will not only help motorists with their out-of-pocket expenses, but will help our economy be even more efficient. I’ve been privileged to work for the people of my state going on 23 years. This has the potential to be one of the most significant announcements in which I’ve participated in all of those 23 years if we see this through to its successful conclusion.

"I pushed for the inclusion of funds in the stimulus bill for electric and advanced vehicles, and the President supported that and it was enacted into law. I am now very forcefully urging Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to get the loans committed for advanced vehicles that will help make announcements like this not just an isolated incident, but instead a permanent part of America’s automotive industry and economic future.

"I’m proud that Indiana is the home of this initiative, and I look forward to working with Democrats, Republicans, and both the legislative and the executive branch to make this happen.

"Thank you.”