The “holy grail” of vehicle mileage, the Progressive Automotive XPrize may soon be awarded. This $ 5 million prize is for creating a car that gets 100 miles per gallon. .
The workings of the Automotive XPrize
The Automotive XPrize is supported by the XPrize foundation. The Automotive XPrize was announced in 2008. The competition judges autos based on the standard EPA mileage estimates. The main X Prize is awarded to a four-passenger car. The vehicles competing for the Automotive XPrize do not have to be ready for production, they just have to prove the concept is workable.
The Automotive X Prize Competition
The 2010 Automotive X Prize competition started in Michigan on April 26. The 3 classes of automobiles have been put through their paces. Some tests are designed to be very comparable to city driving. The competition is also set up to emulate highway driving. 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.
Ingenuity on show at XPrize races
The real-world conditions that the Automotive XPrize competitors have to work in lend themselves to last-minute ingenuity. The passenger cabin of an XPrize automobile has to 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.
Winning the XPrize is a real possibility
Two automobiles are fighting it out for the $ 5 million of the XPrize. A set of tests designed for safety are likely to be done on both vehicles. If either one of the vehicles pass the tests, they’ll be given the award.
