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OptaMotive is Official X-Prize Competitor
4/8/2009 12:00:00 PM
OptaMotive today announced its acceptance into the multimillion dollar Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, an international competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles to offer more consumer choices.
OptaMotive officially submitted its registration application in February 2009, an important step towards ensuring that it is at the starting line when the competition kicks off next year. Final confirmation of the team’s Registered Team status is pending their signature of a Master Team Agreement (MTA) upon its upcoming release.OptaMotive views the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize as a unique opportunity to create visibility, increase public awareness and to bring technology to market. By generating competition, the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize is acting as a catalyst for change. OptaMotive President, Mark Demers stated, “We are very excited to be part of the revolution fueled by this competition. Many of the conditions are ripe for change – the technology is ready, traditional automotive thinking is being challenged and the unlimited consumption model is one we now recognize as unsustainable. The PIAXP hasn’t created these situations, but they have created a context in which we can instigate a shift in momentum. Competition is an excellent way to challenge traditional ways of thinking and spurring innovative minds into action.” More than 100 teams submitted applications before registration closed on February 28. Those accepted, like OptaMotive have, become a Registered Team and move one step closer to competing for their share of the $10 million prize purse funded by Progressive. Next, Registered Teams will undergo Design Judging based on a detailed Data Submission providing information on vehicle features, production capability, safety, and business plans. Those that pass Design Judging become Competing Teams and move into the performance testing phase with competition events that will begin as early as May 2010. Winners will come in two categories— Mainstream and Alternative— and cash prizes will be awarded to those that can design and build production-capable, 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent) vehicles that people will want to buy and that meet market needs for price, size, capability, safety and performance. Winners will be announced in 2010. “We congratulate OptaMotive on its commitment to developing super fuel efficient vehicles,” noted Julie Zona, Director of Team Development and Relations for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. “While there’s still much to be accomplished before reaching that starting line, we’re pleased to see that they have taken this important step in the process.” For a complete list of Registered Teams, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org.
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