Automotive X Prize Revs Up for 100-mpg Race (With Video!)

• Automotive X Prize
• fuel economy
• X Prize
• New York Auto Show
• video

NEW YORK — Green racing season has officially begun. After releasing details to PM more than a year ago and unveiling preliminary rules here at the New York Auto Show last March, the X Prize Foundation threw its official coming-out party yesterday for a 100-mpg challenge that could upend the automotive industry.

The two-year competition will require startups and major manufacturers alike to build a car that can achieve 100 miles per gallon or its energy equivalent, create a viable manufacturing plan and be a top performer during the competition's stage races, which will begin here in fall 2009.

Sixty-four teams have already thrown their name in the fuel-efficient hat for Progressive Auto Insurance's $10 million purse, some of which we've test driven already and four of which were on hand with models or variants of their entrants: FuelVapor Technologies, MDI/Zero Pollution, West Philly Hybrid X Team and Venture Vehicles—displayed models or variations of their entrants during the announcement.

"We're not talking about concept cars," said X Prize Chairman Peter Diamandis. "We're talking about real cars that can be brought to market in the near term, that consumers will want to buy."

Get the inside scoop on new teams after this video intro to the AXP from PopMech TV:

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