Lightning Hybrid Cars

The rules and format of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE have not been finalized as yet, but we do know the prize purse is 10 million dollars. The entry fee was 5 grand for applications received prior to 1 November, 2008, and $7,500 for applications received later. As of this writing there are 20 teams registered with more than 100 signing letters of intent to compete.
The Competition Guidelines for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE were released for public review on January 10, 2009, the biggest change; Half of the 10M prize purse will be awarded to the Mainstream Class, the balance will be split between the Alternative Class, one side-by-side seating car, and one tandem seating car. When the X Prize was first conceived the purse split a three way split.
The ten million dollar cash purse will be awarded to the teams that win a long-distance stage race for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 miles-per-gallon energy equivalent. Both new vehicles and modifications of existing vehicles may enter.
The time table looks like, deadline for applications, end of Feb 2009. Deadline for data, 1st of May. The major hoopla starts Sept. 2009. Qualifying starts in May 2010 and runs through Aug. 2010. Finals Aug 2010, with the winners ceremony to be held in Washington DC sometime in Sept 2010.
This is going to be something to watch as it unfolds…