The Automotive X Prize competition has dragged on for several years now, and we're pleased to report that a "shakedown" elimination round of sorts has narrowed the field for development of the hyper-efficient car of the future to 22 teams with 27 vehicles.
They started out with 28 teams with 36 vehicles. Of those, 24 participated in the shakedown. So two teams were shaken out.
OK, so that's not a lot of elimination but at least it's a start. The competition, sponsored by Progressive Insurance, offers $10 million in prizes to automakers who can create cars that achieve at least 100 miles a gallon.
Now all eyes move from the "shakedown" to the "knockout," the first of three qualifying stages that will generate more hype and press releases. The knockout round will be held June 20-30 at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.
Those making the cut include:
Mainstream Class Teams:
Mainstream Class vehicles must carry four or more passengers, have four or more wheels, and offer a 200-mile range.
American HyPower, Centennial, Colo. (Gasoline, Hydrogen)
BITW Technologies, Palmyra, Ind. (Biodiesel)
Cornell 100+ MPG Team, Ithaca, N.Y. (Biodiesel)*
Edison2, Charlottesville, Va. (E85)
Enginer, Troy, Mich. (Gasoline + Steam)**
Global-E, Mandeville, La. (Gasoline & Electric)**
Illuminati Motor Works, Virden, Ill. (Electric)*
Liberty Motors Group, Botkins, Ohio (Gasoline)
West Philly Hybrid X (EVX), Philadelphia (Gasoline)
Alternative Class Teams:
Alternative Class vehicles must carry two or more passengers and allow for a 100-mile range.
Side-by-Side Seating
amp, Blue Ash, Ohio (Electric)
Aptera Motors, Vista, Calif. (Electric)
Tata Motors Limited, Coventry, United Kingdom (Electric)
Edison2, Charlottesville, Va. (E85)
OptaMotive, San Jose (Electric)
RaceAbout Association, Helsinki (Electric)
Team EVI, Mooresville, N.C. (Electric)*
Team EVX, Dallas (Electric)
West Philly Hybrid X (EVX), Philadelphia (Biodiesel)
Western Washington University, Bellingham, Wash. (Gasoline)**
ZAP, Santa Rosa, Calif. (Electric)
Tandem Seating
Edison2, Charlottesville, Va. (E85)
FVT Racing, Maple Ridge, British Columbia (Gasoline)*
Spira, Banglamung, Chonburi, Thailand (Gasoline)
Tango (Commuter Cars), Spokane, Wash. (Electric)
X-Tracer Team Switzerland, Uster, Switzerland (Electric)
The competition consisted of technical inspections and on-track safety tests, including zero-to-60 mile per hour acceleration and braking tests, an emergency double lane change avoidance maneuver, and durability requirements.
"These shakedown tests rightly set a very high standard of safety and performance," said Eric Cahill, senior director of the contest. "This was not meant to be easy. If it were, it would have already been done. We expect to see additional eliminations during the knockout stage."
The finals will conclude in late July.
Tags:Tata Motors Aptera
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