$10 MILLION AUTOMOTIVE X-PRIZE WON

The Automotive X-Prize, funded by Progressive Insurance, was concluded today and three teams split the $10 million prize.  The ultimate winner was the Edison2 group which opted for aerodynamics and light weight to achieve the minimum 100MPGe.  The Edison2 used a one-cylinder, ethanol capable engine instead of electric or hybrid combination.   It also uses a lightweight aluminum frame and has a teardrop shape to help with aerodynamics.  Edison2 took the bulk of the prize money at $5 million.

Splitting the remaining money, $2.5 million each, were Li-Ion Motors Corp. and X-Tracer Team.  Li-Ion competed with the Wave2 vehicle which is a two-seat electric vehicle that achieves 187 miles on a single charge.  The X-Tracer team submitted their E-Tracer 7009 vehicle.  The E-Tracer gets 205 miles on a single charge and has a motorcycle like body.

The X-Prize had 111 entrants, who had 30 months to develop and build their vehicles.  All three winners are eligble for a Department of Energy program that help ready the the vehicles for a U.S. market introduction. [Google News]