$10 million dollars

By offering a $10 million dollar prize, the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE seeks to enable development and stimulate demand for clean, fuel efficient vehicles.
In the Design Judging process, automotive experts evaluated 97 registered entries for:

• High fuel economy (100 MPGe) with low emissions (200 g/mi CO2e wells-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions and low tailpipe emissions)
• Production-capable and designed to reach the market in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year
• Safe and affordable
• Minimum capacities, performance, and features

53 vehicles are moving forward in the competition with 28 represented in the Mainstream Class and 25 represented in the Alternative Class.

• Mainstream class = Vehicles that meet current consumer expectations for size and capability
• Alternative class = Outlet for innovative ideas that push forward today's concept of "what a car is"

The big race begins this spring (2010)

43 teams, representing 18 states, 10 countries and 6 fuel types, now advance to the most exciting phase of the competition, performance and safety testing. Vehicles will be tested for efficiency, performance and durability under real-world conditions. Vehicles will race the clock through cities, up hills, and will need both speed and distance capability.

Half of the $10M purse will be awarded to the Mainstream Class winner. The remaining $5M will be split between two winners in the Alternative Class - one vehicle with side-by-side seating, and one vehicle with tandem seating. Performance testing will begin in spring 2010 and winners will be announced in September 2010.

Learn more about the Automotive X Prize

Progressive Automotive X Prize Press kit (PDF)
ProgressiveAutoPrize.org
Links to the Qualified Teams

Tags : Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, EV, energy, electric vehicle, automotive X Prize

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Loremo near the front in race for 100 mpg X prize

Loremo diesel
Courtesy Loremo AG Although the X Prize Foundation has not officially released the rules, competitors are lining up for the Automotive X prize. C/net news has a great slide show about several front runners competing for the multi-million dollar prize. I previously posted about my favorite, the Aptera Typ-1. Recently the diesel powered Loremo has also been a media favorite.

Better than 100 mph and 100 mpg

Unlike the Aptera, the Loremo has four wheels, and seats four adults which are requirements in the Automotive X Prize. The Loremo LS gets better than 100 mpg (and 100 mph) from its 20 HP, 2 cylinder turbo diesel engine. Unlike the $100,00 Tesla, the Loremo is projected to cost only $22,500. The bad news is that the Loremo may not pass the United States emission standards. Check out these links for current info and comments on the Loremo and other Automotive X Prize vehicles (thanks to Eric Boyd).

Tags : Aptera typ-1, automotive X Prize, Loremo, Loremo LS, 100 mpg

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