Auto X Prize

[Iz]

Total prize purse is a cool $10 million.

Auto X Prize will be worth ten million, sponsored by Progressive Casualty Insurance - AutoblogGreen (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/20/auto-x-prize-will-be-worth-ten-million-sponsored-by-progressive/)

The article on Yahoo! indicates Tesla will be among the competitors.

Big incentive for fuel-efficient vehicle - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080320/ap_on_bi_ge/auto_show_x_prize)



Mainstream cars must carry four or more passengers and have climate control, an audio system and 10 cubic feet of cargo space. They also must have four or more wheels, hit 60 miles per hour in less than 12 seconds and have a minimum top speed of 100 miles per hour and a range of 200 miles.

Is this how we will get a first view of WhiteStar ? :biggrin:

[Cobos]

Well compared to what we know of the Whitestar the only part which should be a problem would be the 200 mile range. But they've said they would reveal the Whitestar during Q2 this year so that's at best in about 2 weeks and at worst in 2 weeks and 3 months :)

Cobos

[Brent]

From Wired (http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-01/ff_100mpg?currentPage=all) (January 2008)



But don't 100-plus-mpg EVs already exist? Hot-rodded Priuses are currently claiming 125 mpg, and Tesla Motors' battery-powered Roadster gets 245 miles on a charge. Couldn't the Roadster, which is production-ready and goes from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds, dust everyone?

Not so fast. In addition to getting the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon, vehicles have to contribute less than 200 grams of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere for every mile they drive. This would seem to be a layup for EVs, which have a reputation for emitting only a fine mist of good karma. But electric vehicles aren't as clean as their absent tailpipes might suggest. Because electricity in the US is largely generated from fossil fuels, running a vehicle from the national power grid is far from carbon neutral. So AXP organizers decided that teams would have to account for upstream carbon emissions as well as those from the vehicle itself. Using Argonne National Laboratory data that quantifies the carbon emitted while producing and consuming various fuels, the organizers built a handy spreadsheet that teams can use to figure out whether they meet the 200-gram-per-mile standard. All an entrant has to do is pick the column that corresponds to their vehicle's type of fuel and key in the number of miles it will travel on one unit of that fuel (gallon, kilowatt, et cetera). Then, at the bottom of the document, one of two answers pops up: yes or no: You pass or you don't.

The upshot of considering so-called wells-to-wheels pollution is that a pure EV needs to achieve 133 mpg to pass the AXP emissions test. Even when designers take this into account, optimistic projections can fall prey to reality. For example, while the Roadster passes the spreadsheet test if you use the efficiency figures from the car's white paper, nobody has run the numbers based on actual road tests — until I call Tesla and prompt engineer Andrew Simpson to give it a shot. "I'm plugging in our new numbers right now," he tells me. "And... we don't qualify."

Silence.

The Roadster won't qualify for the X Prize for another reason: The company has no intention to build it in the required numbers. But Tesla does plan to enter its WhiteStar, a four-door sports sedan with a sticker price of $50,000 — about half of what the Roadster costs. Simpson says it's early enough in the new car's development to make adjustments, but he's still not convinced it'll pass. "It's a bigger car than the Roadster," he says, "so I would expect that the efficiency metric would be slightly worse."

[Kardax]

I think there's a realistic possibility that no cars qualify for the "mainstream" class.

There are a number of prototype vehicles that claim to offer over 100 MPG, but I doubt they would meet the strict criteria of the X-Prize.

-Ryan

[malcolm]

I'm glad that we may not see a mainstream class winner immediately. The organisers are right to set a very high target.

[BBHighway]

To win the prize you have to get 100 MPG.

So, I'm wondering; If your car is powered from electricity, and you get the electricity from solar panels, exactly how big IS a gallon of sunshine anyway?

If the electricity comes from renewable sources, then who cares if you get 100 MPG equivalent, or 50 MPG equivalent? It seems like the 100 MPG (or equivalent), goal only really matters when your stuck with using fossil fuels.

Sure, better efficiency is always a good thing, but doesn't a car running on solar power and getting 25 MPG equivalent still produce less pollution than a fossil fuel car getting 100 MPG?

[dpeilow]

Teams Race to Build Super-Fuel-Efficient Car - WSJ.com (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123905514976894585.html)


Tesla Motors, which is already selling a $100,000 electric roadster, plans to enter its second car, the Model S sedan.

So is this a slam-dunk for the Model S?

[Kevin Harney]

so 4 high profile technology challenges..... anyone know what these are yet ?

[doug]

So is this a slam-dunk for the Model S?
Not so sure. The iMiev is much further along should Mitsubishi choose to enter. Is luxury a criterion?

[TEG]

To win the prize you have to get 100 MPG.

Somewhat related:
Chevy Volt -- 100 mpg, or 48 mpg? - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews (http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/080908-Chevy-Volt-100-mpg-or-48-mpg-/)

[dpeilow]

http://www.techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/xprize.jpg

Efficient Vehicle Startups Vie For $10m Automotive X-Prize (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/04/07/efficient-vehicle-startups-vie-for-10m-automotive-x-prize/)

[Joseph]

The fact that (for a four-wheeler) ten million dollars is just a drop in the bucket relative to the required funds, is saddening.

BUT, winning that contest is a big boost, so more investments would likely flow in.

[mt2]

The fact that (for a four-wheeler) ten million dollars is just a drop in the bucket relative to the required funds, is saddening.

BUT, winning that contest is a big boost, so more investments would likely flow in.
Actually, the $10,000,000 is being split three ways. $5mil to the Mainstream Class, $2.5mil to the Alternative Class with tandem seating and $2.5mil to the Alternative Class with side-by-side seating. Since The Sedan is in the Mainstream class, that's $5mil. And $5mil is $5mil any way you count it. Can't hurt.

But you're right - in a way. Just competing in the X-Prize will be a big boost in exposure and investments. They don't even have to win. Suppose the Model S gets 101MPGe and they lose out to someone who gets 103MPGe. So what? Tesla gets to strut it's stuff and some segment of the population will see the Model S and think "I really like that car!"

[James]

Actually, the $10,000,000 is being split three ways. $5mil to the Mainstream Class, $2.5mil to the Alternative Class with tandem seating and $2.5mil to the Alternative Class with side-by-side seating. Since The Sedan is in the Mainstream class, that's $5mil. And $5mil is $5mil any way you count it. Can't hurt.


I think the competition counts more than just the pure MPGe. It also considers whether it is a real car that has potential for coming to market with mass production. In that department, Tesla and Aptera have a huge advantage.

The winner of the X Prize will get a huge marketing boost if they are ready to capitalize and take orders. This is much more valuable than winning "Car of the Year" from some silly car magazine or industry group. The X Prize winners of each class will make mainstream news coverage just about everywhere. There will also be a ton of coverage during the competition process.

[mt2]

I think the competition counts more than just the pure MPGe. It also considers whether it is a real car that has potential for coming to market with mass production. In that department, Tesla and Aptera have a huge advantage.
Yes! Read page 9 of the X-Prize Guidelines (http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/prize-details/guidelines). Specifically, the section requiring the entrants to be "Production Capable Vehicles".

Side note; the qualification that "Vehicles must be capable of being manufactured in quantities of 10,000 per year" seems to rule out The Roadster.

[vfx]

Coupla' things. First off 2.5 M to any tandem seated car seems actually counter to being a viable vehicle. Other than jet fighters the concept in dead and it's money wasted.

The only winners of "car of the year" are the ones who buy the most ads in those magazine.

"Vehicles must be capable of being manufactured in quantities of 10,000 per year" Why bother entering if you were not ready to lie and say you can do this?

There is a great documentary on the last X prize into Space. I hope someone besides Chris Paine (he has a lot to do already) is covering some of the favorites on this one.

[Kevin Harney]

According to the Guidelines only 1.2% of the trips are over 75 miles.

[Kevin Harney]

TM will have to come up with a working EP and at least the 230 mile pack to be able to compete within a year so it is definately not a slam dunk for them either. Reading this it is going to be a difficult competition.

[Sgee]

Well if it starts in May of next year, I bet they might have that government loan and the factory site. So, I think that this timeline will work great for them.

[doug]

For X Prize Contenders, Money Isn’t Everything - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com (http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/for-x-prize-contenders-money-isnt-everything/)


... For other teams, there may be more to lose than gain in terms of credibility. ...

One company with even more on the line is Tesla Motors, which made a splash with its $100,000-plus electric sports cars. The company is pushing hard to achieve a mass-market presence with the introduction of a sedan next year. If it were to be bested by the likes of some garage tinkerers or a high school auto team, it wouldn’t go over well on the Silicon Valley and venture capital blogs.

[vfx]

or other teams, there may be more to lose than gain in terms of credibility. ...

One company with even more on the line is Tesla Motors, which made a splash with its $100,000-plus electric sports cars. The company is pushing hard to achieve a mass-market presence with the introduction of a sedan next year. If it were to be bested by the likes of some garage tinkerers or a high school auto team, it wouldn’t go over well on the Silicon Valley and venture capital blogs.


Not so sure the funded E-motorcycles were hurt by the results of the Isle of man race.

When a garage team builds a specific-use machine that is designed to solely fit the parameters of particular event really is not a comparison to real cars that have gone through EPA, DOT crash testing, and have air conditioning, heaters and cup holders. I'd put JB and his team up against any to make a one-off for the X-Prize.

[doug]

Automotive X Prize wins $5.5M from the Dept. of Energy | VentureBeat (http://green.venturebeat.com/2009/11/02/automotive-x-prize-wins-5-5m-from-the-dept-of-energy/)



The Automotive X Prize (http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/), the prestigious competition for advanced vehicle concepts, got a pat on the back from the U.S. Department of Energy today in the form of a $5.5 million grant (http://www.energy.gov/news2009/8240.htm). This is more than half the $10 million prize awarded to the winner of the contest ...

[chimpanzee]

I went to SEMA to gain business-contacts, & spent TWO days around the X-Prize booth (Green Power area):

SEMA 2009 (http://2009sema.blogspot.com)

EV related videos:

SEMA 2009: Electric Vehicle (Alternative Energy) (http://2009sema.blogspot.com/search/label/Electric%20Vehicle%20%28Alternative%20Energy%29)

Check out the interview with Kara Lawson/Amped Motors (electrified '33 Ford, from Factory Five Racing)

SEMA 2009: Kara Lawson, Amped Motors/EV [ SEMA '09/Fri ] (http://2009sema.blogspot.com/2009/11/kara-lawson-amped-motorsev-sema-09fri.html)

The FF5 kit-car called the GTM does 0 - 60 in 3 secs, it's a tubular chassis car that looks like a Ferrari. You buy the frame for ~$20K, get a hold of a wrecked Corvette (for the engine & suspension), then get a Porsche transaxle. They had 1 on display, the owner bought it for $50K from the original builder.

GTM Supercar on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimpanzee/4070633232/in/set-72157622755401090/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2634/4070633232_3a186bb4b1.jpg

More pics at:

Collection: SEMA 2009 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimpanzee/collections/72157622755386940/)

[ haven't uploaded my Canon 5D II 22 Mpixel shots, still in Vegas..recovering ]

[dpeilow]

USA : Tesla pulls out of Automotive X Prize (http://stuff.tv/blogs/usa/archive/2009/12/08/tesla-pulls-out-of-automotive-x-prize.aspx)

[vfx]

Finland's All-Electric Race Car Charges in Just 10 Minutes | Popular Science (http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-04/finlands-all-electric-sports-car-charges-just-10-minutes)

Might as well give them the check now. :rolleyes:

[TEG]

ERA - Electric Raceabout (http://www.raceabout.fi/era/)
ERA - Electric RaceAbout Based on Audi R8 - 24 Cars blue Sky (http://audos.blogspot.com/2008/05/era-electric-raceabout-based-on-audi-r8.html)

[Bud]

X-Prize, Schmeck-Prize.

VW 1L two-seat concept for Frankfurt gets early unveiling in German paper (http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090913/FRANKFURT/909139997) + Martin = highway capable commuter EV

[doug]

I had forgotten all about the Automotive X-Prize. As time goes on, it seems less relevant.

[vfx]

And compared to Fed money, kinda chintzy.

[Iz]

And compared to Fed money, kinda chintzy.

Probably one of the reasons TM dropped out... along with IPO.

[Iggy]

I have done several articles on our local Progressive Automotive X PRIZE team. I've always linked to these within my Tesla articles. Illuminati Motor Works is actively looking for sponsors and support. This is a team of people who built a garage just for this project. Who would have guessed there was a team hiding out in the middle of Illinois surrounded by corn fields.

The vehicle is all electric.

Illuminati Motor Works electric car Seven takes it’s first test run (http://iggyz.com/?p=8574)

Automotive X PRIZE competitor Illuminati Motor Works Q & A (http://iggyz.com/?p=6923)

Illuminati Motor Works another Illinois Times interview (http://iggyz.com/?p=9218)

APRIL 26 – MAY 7, 2010: SHAKEDOWN STAGE (COMPETITION EVENT)
Location: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI

APRIL 29, 2010 COMPETITION OPENER & WELCOME (PUBLIC EVENT)
Location: Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, MI

[dhrivnak]

I met the Illuminati team and their car and it is VERY impressive. They can roll down the highway at 60 mph at about 120W/mile about half the power used in the Roadster. They can also do 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and carry 4 people and their luggage. I was VERY impressed with what the team was able to accomplish. If it were not for a broken transmission they would have likely won the contest.

[dpeilow]

Excellence in Energy Efficiency Act promises $1 billion prize for 100 MPG car (http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/excellence-in-energy-efficiency-act-promises-1-billion-prize-fo/)

[rolosrevenge]

I don't know if it can be done using gasoline.

[AndrewBissell]

This is clearly a rearguard action by the gas brigade

[dpeilow]

Anyone fancy a billion dollars? (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/7227-Falcon-Doors/page2?p=103226&viewfull=1#post103226)

[vfx]

A feel good EV story

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/education/fast-times-at-west-philly-high/tonights-frontline-will-make-you-tearful-and-smitten/

see if you can find it showing in your area

[brianman]

A feel good EV story
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/education/fast-times-at-west-philly-high/tonights-frontline-will-make-you-tearful-and-smitten/
see if you can find it showing in your area
In case it's useful to others...

My DVR schedule reports it will re-air on 07/22 at like 4am. YMMV.

[brianman]

In case it's useful to others...

My DVR schedule reports it will re-air on 07/22 at like 4am. YMMV.
Definitely worth watching. Hope they put it online as well.

[doug]

I think you can see the whole piece here: Fast Times at West Philly High | FRONTLINE | PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/fast-times-at-west-philly-high/)