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. .
How the Automotive XPrize works
The Automotive X prize is one of the many prizes supported by the X Prize foundation. Sponsored by Progressive auto insurance, the Automotive X prize was announced in 2008. EPA mileage estimates are the basis of the competition. There are multiple categories, but the main X Prize is awarded to a car capable of carrying four people 100 miles on a single gallon of fuel. The cars entered in the Automotive X Prize need only be proof of concept automobiles, not production-ready.
The competition for the X Prize
The competition for the Automotive X Prize began on April 26 in Michigan. All 3 classes of cars are being put through paces on many tracks. Some tests are intended to be very comparable to city driving. Driving situations similar to highway driving are also a part of the competition. Though the stated miles per gallon goal is 110, a team only has to reach 100 miles per gallon to get the prize. The vehicles have to perform within safety and performance guidelines as well.
Ingenuity on display at XPrize races
Winning the Automotive X Prize requires ingenuity. One of the needs of the automobiles is the passenger cabin remains below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 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
Two autos are fighting it out for the $ 5 million of the XPrize. Both of the cars are likely to be put through a very wide variety of safety and security tests. If both pass, then the $5 million Automotive XPrize could be awarded.
