Velozzi rendering Courtesy of Velozzi

BEVERLY HILLS—The X Prize Foundation and Progressive Insurance are offering $10 million to the teams that successfully develop vehicles able to get 100 miles per gallon.  More than 60 groups from around the world plan to compete for a share of the prize as well as global publicity.

The X PRIZE Foundation was established in 1994 by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis.  It is Diamandis’s belief that intelligent and talented teams in pursuit of a prize and acclaim can change the world.  In 2004, The X Prize Foundation and the Ansari family awarded their first $10 million prize to Mojave Aerospace Ventures for the flight of SpaceShipOne.  The winning team was the first to build and successfully launch a spacecraft capable of carrying three people 100 kilometers above earth, twice within two weeks.  

"The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is a call to action to promote and inspire innovation," Dr. Diamandis said in a press release. "The environmentally friendly cars created as a result of this competition will affect everyone who drives in ways we can´t even imagine today.”

The vehicles will compete in two classes: mainstream and alternative.  The mainstream class must have at least four passenger seats and four or more wheels, heat/air conditioner, audio system, a minimum top speed of 100 mph, and 10 cubic feet of cargo space.  The alternative class is to serve as an outlet for innovative ideas and is less strict on the requirements.  The alternative class must seat at least two passengers and have a minimum top speed of 80 mph. There is no wheel minimum requirement.  Nor does it require any audio, heating, or air conditioning.  

All vehicles will be required to have an enclosed cabin with a windshield and windows, windshield wipers and washers, seatbelts, rear and side view mirrors, lamps, lighting, brake lights, reflective devices, odometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, and sufficient ground clearance.

A local non-profit group has decided to put their ultra fuel-efficient sports utility vehicle up to the test.  Society for Sustainable Mobility (SSM) in Beverly Hills has been working on a vehicle design that would allow consumers to choose to run their vehicle on electric/battery power or gasoline/diesel.  “Our customers can go to a shop and have the power source modules exchanged in a couple of hours,” says SSM Chairman David W. Lee. “Imagine you can run your car in electric-only mode during the week and rent a diesel/gasoline power source module for a road trip during the weekend. No matter which fuels the market finally settled on, we will be ready.”

SSM has already been in talks with a private investment group about production.  Whether they win the X Prize or not, SSM plans to initiate low-rate production for fleet operators starting in 2011.

Another local competitor is Velozzi Group of Beverly Hills.  They have chosen to enter two vehicles in the contest, one in the mainstream category and one in the alternative. They will both be electric cars optimized to run on any fuel, which would achieve 100-200 mpg. They will be based on a classic sports car with a design inspired by Italian GTs.

Miles Electric Vehicles of Santa Monica has also joined in on the contest.  They already have some electric vehicles available to the public, but their top speed is about 25 mph.  However, the group at Miles is working on a new Sedan that promises to hit a top speed of 80+ mph that will drive for over 120 miles without a need to recharge.    

The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Foundation will accept entry applications through the middle of 2008.  Those that qualify will race their vehicles in cross-country stage races in major markets across the U.S beginning in 2009-2010.  The winners will meet the 100 mpg requirement, meet strict emissions standards, and finish in the fastest time.  New York will kick off the first race in September of 2009.  The other race cities have yet to be announced.