logo_auto_xprize.gifMaybe you’ve heard of the nonprofit X Prize Foundation? They’re the organization that doles out multi-million dollar awards to the first team to achieve a specific goal, set by the X PRIZE Foundation, which has the potential to benefit humanity. Not too long ago they awarded $10 million to Mojave Aerospace Ventures for the flight of SpaceShipOne, “the first privately built vehicle that could safely haul a pilot and the equivalent weight of two passengers to the edge of space — then repeat the feat within two weeks.”

Well, the X PRIZE folks are back at it again. This time a cash purse will be awarded to the teams that win a long-distance stage race for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPG equivalent (MPGe).The goal of the Auto X Prize is to encourage people to design, build, and sell super-efficient cars that people want to buy.

RBDN strongly supports the development of ultra-efficient vehicles for several reasons:

  • Reduces pollution
  • Lessens US dependence on foreign gasoline, (or gasoline at all.)
  • Finally shut up the conspiracy theorists who claim that big oil and auto manufacturer companies prevent better (less polluting cars) from being developed or marketed.

FYI, biofuel, fuel-cell, plug-in, hybrid, and simply more efficient gas cars are all valid competition entries.

Contest Schedule

Registration [mid-2007 through early 2008]
Teams submit applications and a 5k registration fee. Teams selected based on vehicle design information and business plan.
Formal Launch Event [late 2007]
Plan Submissions [mid-2008]
Qualified Team Selection [late 2008]
Teams selected to race vehicles in Qualifying Race.
Qualification Race [early 2009]
Vehicles must prove at least 75 MPGe fuel economy and low emissions. The vehicles best overall race time will be declared Qualifying Race Winners.
Finalist Selection [mid-2009]
Teams with vehicles that successfully complete the Qualifying Race can apply for the Grand Prize Final Race.

pdficon.jpgAuto X PRIZE Draft Guidelines