The X PRIZE Foundation is set to launch a competition for super-
efficient production-ready vehicles. The cars must beat 100 miles per
gallon or its equivalent, emit greenhouse gases at less than 200 g/mi,
and have emissions at levels legal in all 50 US states.
The multimillion dollar prize will go to the fastest qualifying
vehicle in a long-distance stage race in 2009. Teams can compete in
two classes - mainstream, for vehicles for four or more passengers
with four or more wheels, and alternative, for two or more passengers
with any number of wheels.
"The X PRIZE Foundation firmly believes we need desirable, affordable,
and fuel-efficient vehicles on the road," said Peter Diamandis,
founder of the X PRIZE Foundation. "Our addiction to oil is hurting
consumers, undermining the economy, exacerbating international
conflicts, damaging the environment, and threatening the health of the
planet. We have made great progress in designing a competition that
will capture the public's imagination to solve these problems."
Following their release at the New York Auto Show, the preliminary
guidelines for the competition are open for public comment until May
31st 2007. Interested teams are invited to write letters of intent to
participate before the competition's official launch later in 2007.
Cars will also be judged on their production capability, including
factors such as safety, cost, features and business plan. As well as
the chance of the multimillion dollar first prize, vehicles will be
able to gain an "AXP Certified" mark if they complete the final race,
an "AXP Award" if they show significant progress towards the
competition's goals and "Special recognition" if they will be brought
to market within a year.
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/futures/27531
http://auto.xprize.org/
http://www.xprize.org/
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