Full list of 111 Automotive X-Prize teams released
The organizers of the Automotive X-Prize have released the full list registered entrants for the upcoming super-mileage competition. By the time registrations closed a total of 111 teams had completed the process and are now eligible to compete. Those teams have entered a total of 136 vehicles with 80 of those being in the mainstream class and the remainder being in the alternative class. Eleven different countries are represented along with 14 fuel sources.
Fuel sources include the usual suspects such as pure battery electric (32), gas and diesel electric hybrids (36) and straight gas, diesel and compressed natural gas vehicles. There are also solar/electric hybrids, hydrogen, compressed air and a hybrid human/gas/electric vehicle. As expected there are the oddballs such as urea and water powered vehicles.
Among the registered teams you'll find familiar names such as Aptera, Zap, Tesla and Velozzi as well as a plethora of unknowns. Click on the link for the full list.
[Source: Auto X Prize]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
111 Teams Get Green Light to Advance in Multimillion Dollar
Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Competition
PLAYA VISTA, Calif., (April 7, 2009) --The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, a multimillion dollar competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles, today announced its official list of 111 Registered Teams.
Having passed this first wave of judging, these teams now move one step closer to competing for their share of a $10 million prize purse that will be awarded to teams that win a rigorous long distance stage competition and can exceed 100 MPG equivalent fuel economy (MPGe).
The teams, which collectively represent 136 vehicle entries with 14 different fuel sources, include diverse groups from 25 U.S. states and 11 countries. Established automakers, emerging start-ups, universities and inventors are among those represented. Six of the Registered Teams remain confidential.
In the coming months, Registered Teams will undergo Design Judging based on a detailed Data Submission package, which will provide information on their vehicle's features, production capability, safety and business plans. Those that pass Design Judging will move into the performance testing phase and partake in a series of competition events that will begin as early as May 2010. Winners will be announced in 2010.
The competition start date, the number of venues, and the geographic distribution of venues will be determined prior to July 2009.
"We are thrilled with the wide variety of teams and technologies from around the world that are joining us in this competition," said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and CEO, The X PRIZE Foundation. Being accepted as a Registered Team is a major milestone. This is also an exciting step for the Foundation as we move closer to our goal of inspiring a new generation of real, clean, safe and super fuel-efficient vehicles."
"The level of American innovation and entrepreneurship we're seeing in the Automotive X PRIZE is encouraging," said Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee. "It's also a positive response to many of the challenges confronting the U.S. auto industry. I applaud these teams for the important work they're doing for our nation's energy future."
Winners will be selected from two classes in the Competition Division - Mainstream and Alternative. A complete list of Registered Teams, listed by the category in which they will compete and their proposed fuel type will be available on April 8 at www.progressiveautoxprize.org.
Earlier this year, the competition announced details of a Demonstration Division designed specifically for large, established automobile manufacturers to showcase their latest fuel efficient vehicles. Entrance into this Division will remain open until the summer.
About the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Competition:
The goal of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles to offer consumers more choices and make their lives better as a result. The competition will place a major focus on affordability, safety, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. For more information about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email progressiveautopress@xprize.org. For related educational resources, please visit www.FuelOurFutureNow.com.
About Progressive:
Progressive, founded in 1937, is a leading insurer of cars, motorcycles, recreation vehicles, boats and commercial vehicles. The Company offers competitive rates and innovative products and services that meet drivers' needs throughout their lifetimes as well as 24/7 online and in-person customer and claims service.
One of Progressive's Core Values is Excellence. To the Company's more than 26,000 people, it simply means seeking constant improvement. Over time, this has meant introducing revolutionary ideas that make car insurance easier to shop for, buy and use. It's this same innovative spirit that's behind the Company's sponsorship of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE will inspire innovation that will produce more fuel efficient vehicle choices, helping to make a difference in people's lives.
Progressive's products and services are available locally through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., online at www.progressive.com and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737).
About the X PRIZE Foundation
The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create "radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity." In 2004, the Foundation captured the world's attention when the Burt Rutan-led team, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world's first private spaceship to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for suborbital spaceflight. The Foundation has since launched the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE and the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The Foundation, with the support of its partner, BT Global Services, is creating prizes in Space and Ocean Exploration, Life Sciences, Energy and Environment, Education and Global Development. The Foundation is widely recognized as a leader in fostering innovation through competition. For more information, please visit www.xprize.org.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris M 3:40PM (4/07/2009)
I noticed one of the teams is ENVI of Portland Oregon, any relation to the Chrysler ENVI division, or is the name just a coincidence? Also, the USA Electric Cars entry was listed as running on Gasoline!?
Looking at the list, it is clear that some entrants are not really prepared or don't know what they are doing, as there are a few "laundry list" approaches trying everything for power, one that hasn't quite figured out what to run on, and one pretending to run on water. I expect nearly half the entries will not make it past the initial trials.
There are also several entries that look very promising, even if they don't win a prize, the media exposure and fame might lead to success for several entrants anyway.
I'm really looking forward to the competition, looks like it will be a lot of fun, and there are bound to be a few suprises.
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Kardax 5:38PM (4/07/2009)
Notably absent: Fisker, Miles Automotive, AC Propulsion...
Tesla is listed, but it refers to their Auburn Hills, Michigan location... which I think doesn't exist anymore. The Roadster is too expensive and I think the Model S may be too large to meet the efficiency requirements... so I'm not sure what they're going to do.
I've said it before, but the X-Prize is a lot more serious than most of the entrants realize... the requirements are very strict and I'm betting most of the entrants won't make it to the "qualification" race.
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Chris M 6:25PM (4/07/2009)
I was under the impression that Tesla was planning to enter the Model S, but there is the remote possiblity they might just enter their 3rd model (Model T?) instead - assuming it is far enough along in development.
I fully agree that many entrants aren't really up to the challenge, and we'll see a lot who won't even make to the first round of tests. Hmm, sort of an automotive version of "American Idol", with the car version of the tone deaf singers and dorky acts.
Eletruk 11:10AM (4/09/2009)
Well, they had to shell out $8500 to enter, so it's their loss if they have no clue of what the competition is going to be. As I understand it, BEVs get a CO2 penalty because 60% of electricity is generated by coal. I hope Hydrogen gets additional CO2 penalties for being generated by cracking Natural Gas (not electrolysis as the Hydrogen lobby would like eveyone to beleive), and even if they didn't penalize for Natural Gas, they shoudl be penalized the same as BEVs (actually twice BEVs, since electrolysis isn't 100% efficient).
I also saw that Neil Young's beast is entered. That tank is hardly a good base to start from, but if he can get 100+ MPG, all the more power to him.
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