2010 preview: Automotive X Prize contestants power up

If this is the future of green motoring, sign us up. The electric hybrid eVaro, developed in Canada by Future Vehicle Technologies of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in around 5 seconds, and drives at least 165 miles on the equivalent of a US gallon of fuel.

The eVaro (pictured) is one of the contenders in the Automotive X-Prize contest starting in May. At stake is a share of $10 million, to go to the best-performing cars to maintain at least 100 miles per US gallon (42.5 kilometres per litre) or the equivalent in electricity usage.

More than 40 teams from around the world are set to compete in a number of performance trials, culminating in a stage race across the US in June or July. The contestants include small custom shops, well-known start-ups such as Tesla Motors and Aptera, and the giant Indian car maker Tata. No major US or European manufacturer is competing.

…The X-Prize Foundation, which is organising the competition, stipulates that the vehicles must be capable of being mass-produced at the rate of 10,000 units per year by 2014

New Scientist