ZAP car a finalist for $2.5M
Vehicle with Maumee roots among 5 in X-Prize category
The ZAP Alias, built by engineers at Applied Technologies Inc. in Maumee, is in the finals in the X-Prize's alternative class, for vehicles that can attain an equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.
( THE BLADE )
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By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
An electric three-wheeled vehicle with roots in Maumee and Toledo has survived months of grueling testing to be one of just five teams left vying Tuesday for $2.5 million in prize money.
The battery-powered ZAP Alias, built by engineers at Applied Technologies Inc., in Maumee's Arrowhead Park, is one of the vehicles left in the alternative class of the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize.
"This whole thing is very intense," said former Toledoan Chuck Turney, who joined ZAP, a 15-year-old publicly held company based in Santa Rosa, Calif., that produces and markets alternative modes of transportation.
Mr. Turney will pilot the ZAP Alias Wednesday on its final competitive laps at Michigan International Speedway before the competition's survivors are shipped off to Chrysler's proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich. to undergo additional testing.
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We believe we have a shot of winning this thing, but as competitors go, there are others with a chance to win this as well," Mr. Turney said.
The Alias spent a period this month in a garage near Toledo Speedway, where final modifications were made prior to the trip up to Michigan International.
The Alias is one of five teams left in the most competitive remaining category of the $10 million Automotive X-Prize competition, a race to develop commercially viable vehicles capable of achieving an equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.
The competition was created by the X Prize Foundation - which also held a similar challenge for space travel - with $10 million awarded to teams, split into three classes, that build a car that can achieve 100 miles per gallon and pass a battery of tests. The winner of the mainstream class for four-seat cars gets $5 million for reaching the target, and the two alternative classes split $5 million.
In total, 142 teams originally entered the competition, with teams dropping off or withdrawing after successive challenges to prove their designs.
Yesterday, the Alias survived acceleration and accident avoidance testing conducted by Consumer Reports that eliminated four other teams from competition. The vehicles had to accelerate from zero to 60 mph, and then brake to a stop, with sensors measuring both their acceleration and stopping abilities.
The team previously had to prove the Alias' range and handling abilities as well. However, unlike some other entrants, ZAP officials say they intend to market their design commercially, and have begun accepting reservations for the $35,000 two-seater.
"We already have people saying they want to drive the car," said Alex Campbell, a spokesman for ZAP. "Part of our thinking with the X-Prize would be that it would be a great way to launch the vehicle."
