Think the Earth

"The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE," a competition, which offers a prize of 10 million dollars to the team that succeeds in developing a super mileage vehicle that can run for more than 100 miles per gallon (42km per liter), has been launched. The X PRIZE Foundation in the U.S. made this announcement on March 20th, and over 60 teams from 9 countries have applied so far (application will be accepted until mid-year). A race will be held from 2009 to 2010, and the teams will drive these vehicles across the mainland U.S. 縲?The champion will be determined taking into consideration the overall performance, i.e. speed, total distance, and driving ability in different environments, such as in urban and suburban areas.

This competition is divided into two parts. One is "mainstream", for which the major conditions are that the vehicles have 4 wheels, can hold more than 4 passengers, and has a maximum speed of at least 100 miles (160km) per hour. The other one is "alternative," and the vehicles entering in this category must hold more than 2 passengers and have a maximum speed of at least 80 miles (128km) per hour. Another condition, which applies to both is that they must not simply be a concept car; This program aims to assist in making ecological cars more widespread, so the vehicles must also be practical and "production-ready."

As the X PRIZE Foundation, known also for its "Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge 2007," a competition, which promotes development of manned space flights, is the organizer of the above competition, it is sure to attract attention. To date, a team from Japan has not yet applied to take part in this challenge. But hopefully people from Japan will also decide to take part in the competition as Japan is a nation that has been passionate about developing low-emission vehicles.