E-85 Ethanol, hydrogen fuel cells, wind, water, and solar power these all have a role to play in the greening of America. But, most of the technology is either not cost efficient or cannot be produced on a large enough scale to wean us from oil.
But, Americans rise to the occasion if there's enough money or prestige involved. Enter the X-Prize Foundation, who's motto is "Radical Breakthroughs for the Benefit of Humanity". This foundation is doing it's part to green our planet and rid us of our dependency on foreign oil.
According to their website; "People love their cars. They are vital links to our jobs, our community, ourselves. For everything we love about them, cars are chained to the most severe global crises of our time: oil dependence and climate change. We aim to break this deadlock through the most radical approach to innovation yet - the X PRIZE.
The Automotive X PRIZE will invite teams from around the world to focus on a single goal: design viable, clean and super-efficient cars that people want to buy. This will be a race for the ages, with major publicity and a big sack of cash waiting for the champion, and perhaps our future hanging in the balance.
Our goal is to stimulate automotive technology, manufacturing and marketing breakthroughs that:
•·Radically reduce oil consumption and harmful emissions
•·Result in a new generation of super-efficient and desirable mainstream vehicles that people want to buy
This prize will be awarded to cars that are both commercially viable and ultra-efficient in their use of energy. "
Draft Competition Guidelines X-PRIZE for 100 mpg cars
White Paper about the automotive X-PRIZE
Comments are needed. Send your comments on the draft guidelines to Automotive X-PRIZE
Please read these guidelines. Help protect our planet.
Others in this series: "No Impact Man" 100 MPG X-PRIZE One Billion Bulbs Energizing Michigan's Economy
One Small Step for Man...? Select Michigan Products How Green is Your Funeral?
Help!...Do You Give Eco-Friendly Closing Gifts? Earth Day Coupons, Games, Offers, and Family Activities
EEK! Michigan Schools Get an Alternative Energy Plan Kids!...Roofus Saves the Day???
"...Tell Me, Are We Alive, or Just a Dying Planet?..."
Gary Smith, The Michigan Group, 6870 Grand River Ave, Brighton, Michigan
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Sounds like an interesting competition, Gary. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the automakers are making much headway on the 100 mpg goal. It sounds like what we need is some good old-fashioned American entrepreneurial ingenuity.