X-Prize winner right here in/from my hometown...cool

[John Wright]

"The awards ceremony at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., marked the end of more than two years of competition. The contest challenged automotive engineers to make cars that could achieve a fuel economy of at least 100 miles per gallon of gasoline, or an equivalent amount of energy from another fuel. More than 100 teams were eliminated through design phases and road tests.
Edison2’s Very Light Car, designed and built in Lynchburg, won the $5 million prize for the Mainstream Category, which required building a four-seat car that could travel at least 200 miles without having to refuel. The car also had the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in the competition."


Full story from our local paper:

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/sep/16/kuttner-x-prize-marked-special-time-design-history-ar-509151/?sc_cid=LNA-NEWS-TopStories

[ArtosDracon]

The problem with almost all of these designs is that they wouldn't pass safety standards here in the US, if they'd pass emissions. There is a reason european versions of the exact same cars we have here get better fuel economy. It's the same reason that my dad owned a Civic back in the mid 70s that would do 50mpg around town or on the highway. It was lighter than anything made from any exotic materials available today and it had a measly little engine that didn't require any cats or air pumps or anything. The #1 thing holding back our fuel economy is not innovation, it's legislation.

[John Wright]

Another link

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/sep/16/lynchburg-team-shares-10-million-x-prize-ar-508599/


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[novaderrik]

The problem with almost all of these designs is that they wouldn't pass safety standards here in the US, if they'd pass emissions. There is a reason european versions of the exact same cars we have here get better fuel economy. It's the same reason that my dad owned a Civic back in the mid 70s that would do 50mpg around town or on the highway. It was lighter than anything made from any exotic materials available today and it had a measly little engine that didn't require any cats or air pumps or anything. The #1 thing holding back our fuel economy is not innovation, it's legislation.

that, and everyone thinks that they just can't live without air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, lots of sound deadener, satellite navigation, loud stereos, and cup holders that heat and/or cool your beverage...

[HarleyR]

Id love to be rear ended in one of those things by a F350 King Ranch dually....

[ArtosDracon]

Id love to be rear ended in one of those things by a F350 King Ranch dually....

Unless you're in a truck, you're F-ed if you get rear ended by a one ton truck. I'll never understand why people insist on having lifted HD trucks for getting the kids from school or picking up groceries. Stupidity.

[claytonisbob]

Unless you're in a truck, you're F-ed if you get rear ended by a one ton truck. I'll never understand why people insist on having lifted HD trucks for getting the kids from school or picking up groceries. Stupidity.

It's probably no more stupid than us driving gas guzzling muscle cars.

That being said, I daily drive a little econo-box Kia, but I have no kids. If I did, a truck/SUV would be my preference. There's no way I'd want to drive a minivan. A lifted truck is one thing, but knowing your family is in a larger vehicle is a little reassurance. If we were all driving smaller cars, I wouldn't feel so inclined to want a bigger car or a 1/2 to 3/4 ton truck. But I live in Texas and guess what, if I were in an accident today, the odds are it would be with a truck and I'd lose.

[Jarcaines]

That being said, I daily drive a little econo-box Kia, but I have no kids. If I did, a truck/SUV would be my preference. There's no way I'd want to drive a minivan. .

SUVs and Minivans aren't the only options. We just bought a VW Passat Wagon, it has more room behind the seats the most of what they call SUV's now days. Station wagons are the way to go IMO. Outbacks are nice, Volvo, Saab, etc, all make great looking wagons.

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[Jarcaines]

Also, that car is pretty sweet, I think people are missing the point. This contest isn't to come up with the next production car, it's to get people thinking and researching, to create excitement and ingenuity.

I don't care what your political stance is, if we can come up with a car that uses less (or no) gas, doesn't pollute, and still offers all the conveniences we have gotten use to, that is awesome not matter how you look at it.

[John Wright]

I think people are missing the point. This contest isn't to come up with the next production car, it's to get people thinking and researching, to create excitement and ingenuity.

I don't care what your political stance is, if we can come up with a car that uses less (or no) gas, doesn't pollute, and still offers all the conveniences we have gotten use to, that is awesome not matter how you look at it.
Right, that is the whole point...just letting people use thier imaginations and develope technologies that can be used in real life, and possibly in actual production vehicles.