Two teams from the United States and one team from Winterthur, Switzerland have won the First Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize. The $10 million competition has the goal of advancing technology to achieve more fuel efficient vehicles. Edison2, from Lynchburg, Virginia, won the $5 million top prize. Li-Ion Motors of Morresville, North Carolina and E-Tracer, a battery electric motorcycle like vehicle from Switzerland, each won $2.5 million.
Edison2 is a four-wheel vehicle that can accommodate up to four passengers. The internal combustion engine that powers the vehicle is fueled by E85 -- a combination of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. It is a rear-wheel drive vehicle with a Yamaha 250cc engine that generates between 27 and 50 horsepower. The car weighs less than 750 pounds and features a coefficient of 0.15 which translates into great aerodynamics.
Li-Ion Motor's Wave is a four-wheel, two passenger fiberglass electric vehicle which features a gull-wing trunk. The creators say that the car has a range of 170 miles on an eight hour charge. Lithium-ion batteries power the front wheel drive vehicle.
E-Tracer is a two wheel electric vehicle that can accommodate two passengers in an inline configuration. Lithium-ion batteries power the rear-wheel vehicle which features a 90 kilowatt or 130 kilowatt electric motor. It also includes a full monocoque composite chassis with retractable outriggers that balance the vehicle at low speeds and when it is parked.
The competition started in 2007 with 136 vehicles from 111 teams. The contest required each vehicle to achieve 100 miles per gallon or the energy equivalent. The X Prize Foundation, Playa Vista, California, sponsored the event. The goal of the X Prize is to encourage the creation of super efficient cars that can be manufactured in large volume.