[youtube]1PH_gZeKpNM[/youtube] Edison2’s “Very Light Car”
Fuel efficiency is the name of the game in the ongoing X Prize competition, which has a single design team, Edison2, advancing into the final stage in the four-passenger mainstream category.
Two of Edison2’s “Very Light Car” four-passenger vehicles have advanced in a tough competition to create cars with a fuel efficiency of at least 100 MPGe (miles per gallon or gasoline equivalent energy).
The X Prize awards $10 million to three teams whose vehicles can successfully pass various safety, efficiency, and emissions tests designed for “real world driving” while also being “safe, affordable, and desirable to offer consumers more efficient vehicle choices,” according to the X Prize’s website.
The contest has three categories: The mainstream class for four-wheel, four-passenger vehicles, and two alternative classes for vehicles with tandem and side-by-side seating, which require a minimum of two passengers and no minimum on wheels.
All vehicles had to reach at least two-thirds, or 67 MPGe, of the coveted 100 MPGe fuel efficiency mark to pass through the initial stages of the contest.
The four-passenger vehicles are required to run 200 miles in the final stage, while the alternatives must run for 100 miles. The car in each class that exceeds 100 MPGe and clocks in with the fastest time in the final wins the competition. The mainstream class winner will receive $5 million, while the two alternative class winners will each receive $2.5 million.
Edison2’s Very Light Cars were the only two vehicles that advanced to the finals in the mainstream category. During the Knockout Qualifying Stage, which is the last stage preceding the finals, one of the two cars reached an impressive 101.4 MPGe, said Director of Research and Development Brad Jaeger, who is also one of the drivers of Edison2’s vehicles in the contest.
The Very Light Car runs on a one-cylinder, 250cc internal combustion motorcycle engine. It is fueled by 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline and can go up to 110 miles per hour, said Jaeger. The cars are light because there is no added weight from the batteries that would be needed for an electric or a hybrid car. Edison2’s vehicles are also made with little impact on the environment, consisting of mostly recyclable aluminum and steel.
The final stage of the contest will be held July 19 to 30 at the Michigan International Speedway. The competition began with 111 teams from 15 countries. A total of 15 vehicles from 12 teams will be vying for the grand prize at the finals.
Two of Edison2’s “Very Light Car” four-passenger vehicles have advanced in a tough competition to create cars with a fuel efficiency of at least 100 MPGe (miles per gallon or gasoline equivalent energy).
The X Prize awards $10 million to three teams whose vehicles can successfully pass various safety, efficiency, and emissions tests designed for “real world driving” while also being “safe, affordable, and desirable to offer consumers more efficient vehicle choices,” according to the X Prize’s website.
The contest has three categories: The mainstream class for four-wheel, four-passenger vehicles, and two alternative classes for vehicles with tandem and side-by-side seating, which require a minimum of two passengers and no minimum on wheels.
All vehicles had to reach at least two-thirds, or 67 MPGe, of the coveted 100 MPGe fuel efficiency mark to pass through the initial stages of the contest.
The four-passenger vehicles are required to run 200 miles in the final stage, while the alternatives must run for 100 miles. The car in each class that exceeds 100 MPGe and clocks in with the fastest time in the final wins the competition. The mainstream class winner will receive $5 million, while the two alternative class winners will each receive $2.5 million.
Edison2’s Very Light Cars were the only two vehicles that advanced to the finals in the mainstream category. During the Knockout Qualifying Stage, which is the last stage preceding the finals, one of the two cars reached an impressive 101.4 MPGe, said Director of Research and Development Brad Jaeger, who is also one of the drivers of Edison2’s vehicles in the contest.
The Very Light Car runs on a one-cylinder, 250cc internal combustion motorcycle engine. It is fueled by 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline and can go up to 110 miles per hour, said Jaeger. The cars are light because there is no added weight from the batteries that would be needed for an electric or a hybrid car. Edison2’s vehicles are also made with little impact on the environment, consisting of mostly recyclable aluminum and steel.
The final stage of the contest will be held July 19 to 30 at the Michigan International Speedway. The competition began with 111 teams from 15 countries. A total of 15 vehicles from 12 teams will be vying for the grand prize at the finals.
