The X PRIZE Foundation said 31 teams have signed up to compete for the Automotive X PRIZE, wherein they will design, build and bring to market 100 mpg or equivalent vehicles “that people want to buy.” Teams that qualify will race their vehicles in cross country stages that combine speed, distance, urban driving, and overall performance. The races are planned for 2009-10.
The current field includes teams from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. More than 300 additional teams are said to be considering entry. The X PRIZE Foundation said the competition is “designed to inspire a new generation of vehicles to ‘help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change.’”