Replies to post #1500 on ZAP (fka ZAAP)

[WOLDUMAR]

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."

[WOLDUMAR]

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 )

Zoom | Photo Reprints

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."

[WOLDUMAR]

Progressive X PRIZE concludes, announces advancing teamsPublish date: Jul 27, 2010

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Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Concludes on Track Competition Events; Announces Teams Advancing to the Validation Stage
PR Newswire

BROOKLYN, Mich., July 27

Nine Vehicles from Seven Teams Continue in their Pursuit of a Multimillion Dollar Prize for Super Fuel-Efficient Cars

BROOKLYN, Mich., July 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, a $10 million competition to inspire a new generation of super fuel efficient vehicles, announced today the Finalist teams who have survived all on-track testing at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), and who now move into a Validation stage before prize money will be awarded this September.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100727/DC41296)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100727/DC41296)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/DC95759)

What began as a field of 136 vehicles from 111 teams has now been narrowed to an elite group of nine vehicles from just seven teams that have proven they can meet the strictest requirements of this competition, including the ability to achieve at least 90 MPGe on the way toward the ultimate 100 MPGe requirement and to survive grueling dynamic safety and range tests. The teams represent a wide variety of backgrounds that include emerging start ups, entrepreneurs and universities from around the world. All have proven that they can more than handle a variety of very difficult real-world scenarios.

Finalists were required to pass a repeat of technical inspections and on-track Efficiency, Range and Dynamic Safety events conducted by the competition's technical team and auto test engineers from partner Consumer Reports.

"These finalists highlight true innovation in fuel efficiency, and prove that their vehicles have the ability to withstand strict safety, performance and emissions requirements. These cars redefine what is possible and set a new standard of efficiency that promises to revolutionize the industry," said Eric Cahill, Senior Director of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.

"Congratulations to the finalist teams – it's clear that they are pushing the envelope in terms of automotive innovation," said Brian Silva, Progressive's Chief Marketing Officer. "Their breakthroughs will spur greater choices in fuel-efficient cars that everyone can afford."

Team standings and vehicle performance details are available at http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/team-central. The following is a complete list of remaining teams, along with the class in which they compete and their fuel type:

Mainstream Class (Two vehicles, one team)

Edison2, Very Light Car #97 (Charlottesville, VA), Internal Combustion Engine
Edison2, Very Light Car #98 (Charlottesville, VA), Internal Combustion Engine


Alternative Class – Tandem (Two vehicles, one team)

X-Tracer, E-Tracer #72 (Switzerland), Battery Electric
X-Tracer, E-Tracer #79 (Switzerland), Battery Electric


Alternative Class – Side-by-Side (Five vehicles, five teams)

Aptera, Aptera 2e (San Diego, CA), Battery Electric
Li-ion Motors, Wave II (North Carolina), Battery Electric
RaceAbout Association, RaceAbout (Finland), Battery Electric
TW4XP, TW4XP (Germany), Battery Electric
ZAP, Alias (Santa Rosa, CA), Battery Electric


A Combined Performance and Efficiency Event will take place at Michigan International Speedway today to serve as the tie-breaker for the Alternative Class vehicles with side-by-side seating that go on to pass Validation Stage testing.

Tata Motors (Coventry, UK) was unable to present their Indica Vista EVX vehicle for the Range Test due to a technical issue. Although they will not be advancing, Tata will demonstrate their vehicle in tomorrow's Combined Performance and Efficiency Event, as will Amp's amp'd Sky (Cincinnati, OH), Commuter Cars' Tango (Spokane, WA), Spira's Spira4u (Carrollton, IL/Banglamung, Thailand), and Western Washington University's Viking 45 (Bellingham, WA).

Validation is the final technical event in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. Finalists in both the Mainstream and Alternative classes will undergo dynamometer testing under controlled laboratory conditions at Argonne National Lab facilities. The car in each class that exceeds 100 MPGe, meets the emissions and performance requirements, and, in the case of a tie, completes the Combined Performance and Efficiency challenge with the fastest time, will win. The $10 million prize purse will be presented at an Award Ceremony on September 16, in Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email [e-mail].

ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE

The goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 Miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe). The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on efficiency, safety, affordability, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today's oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. The ten million dollar purse and partial funding for prize operations was provided by Progressive Insurance. Additional major funding for education, outreach, and technical operations was provided by $9 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. Additional funding for prize operations was provided by Cisco and private donors. For more information about the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email [e-mail].

[lolita_cachita]

Me too :)