The Progressive Automotive X Prize has long been considered the “holy grail” of car efficiency. This $ 5 million prize is for creating a automobile that gets 100 miles per gallon. There are two vehicles that may very well win the prize when trials in Michigan complete.
Detailing the Automotive Xprize
The XPrize foundation supports a number of prizes, such as the Automotive XPrize. Sponsored by Progressive auto insurance, the Automotive X prize was announced in 2008. EPA mileage estimates are the basis of the competition. The primary X Prize is awarded to a four-passenger vehicle. The cars entered in the Automotive X Prize need only be proof of concept autos, not production-ready.
The Automotive X Prize Competition
The competition for the Automotive X Prize started on April 26 in Michigan. The three classes of automobiles are put through their paces. Some of the competitions are designed to emulate city driving. Driving situations comparable to highway driving are also a part of the competition. The target is 110 miles per gallon, though to receive the XPrize a team only has to get 100 mpg. There needs to be certain safety and performance thresholds met as well.
Teams need ingenuity to win the XPrize races
Winning the Automotive X Prize calls for ingenuity. One requirement built to the Automotive XPrize is that passenger cabins stay below 90 degrees. Michigan is facing 95 degree temperatures, so some teams are creating homemade air conditioners. Hypermiling driving techniques are also on display throughout the competition.
The possibility of winning the XPrize
There are two cars that are nevertheless within the running for the Automotive XPrize. Both can be taken out of the public eye and put through a wide variety of safety tests. If either one of the vehicles pass the tests, they’ll be given the award.
