Kuttner conquers: Oliver’s Edison2 car wins $5 million X Prize

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Hook

Oliver Kuttner, the Charlottesville real estate developer turned automotive developer, has won the $5 million top prize in the Progressive Automotive X Prize, it was announced Thursday morning. His Edison2 team’s winning vehicle, a four-seater called the Very Light Car, reportedly gets 102 miles per gallon of fuel and could, Kuttner hopes, reshape the automotive industry.

Kuttner’s quest was the subject of the Hook’s June 17 cover story.

Accolades have begun streaming in. There was a celebratory party hosted by Arianna Huffington, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke at the September 16 victory ceremony, and Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello quickly issued a congratulatory statement pointing out that he’s made numerous visits to Kuttner’s Lynchburg laboratory.


Read more: http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/09/16/kuttner-conquers-olivers-edison2-car-wins-5-million-x-prize/

[gateley]

1. A friend of mine entered - he and his friends and family put his car together

when they weren't working at their regular jobs! They had no financial backing, just donations from friends, they emptied out their accounts, etc. He'd never entered a competition before. His car got 100 mpg. It was pretty bare bones and LOOKED like it had been built in his garage, yet he still managed to come in like 28th of all the entrants. Many, he told me, were like 'professional' teams who entered these competitions, complete crews and matching snazzy jumpsuits. :7

I'm not taking away from Oliver Kuttner, just very proud of my friend's accomplishments. :headbang:

[truedelphi]

9. What a great story.

Your friend ROCKS.

[gateley]

11. He is really really really a good person - I'll pass along your message! nt

[nyc 4 Biden]

2. cool! more pics at link below...

http://www.edison2.com/for-media

[James48]

3. 105 MPG on E85? Yep!

The winning car is powered by E85!

As a devoted E85 fan- (American made, renewable fuel) I am very happy.

It's a One cylinder, 40 hp, e85 engine:


Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHs-l4W2e8w

[Davis_X_Machina]

5. The E in this particular E85...

...was of course cellulosic ethanol, from non-corn, non-soybean sources, I hope?

[alfredo]

4. Eight photos of the cars

http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/automotive-x-prize/1

[midnight armadillo]

6. How 'bout 11,000 mpg...available now.

No, really. The Fietser eWAW single person velomobile with electric assist. A velomobile is a fully enclosed recumbent tricycle. The company rates it at around 11,000 mpg out of the city (euro standards) since it's human powered with help from the electric motor when the rider wants it. These can cruise at 30 mph on flat ground with a fit rider, weighs 65ish lbs, and the electric assist makes the hills disappear. Available right now, roughly $10,000. There are a lot of solo commuters out there for whom vehicles like this would work - too bad there's no $10 million prize for them to push development along.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I think this is more lifestyle change than your average commuter would commit to, tho.

[midnight armadillo]

8. Why?

Everyone loves to bitch and moan about foreign oil and obesity. Here's something that solves both, and lets the rider get to work and back and run errands in most weather. Heavy snow, naw, but most anything short of that is fine. It's too expensive, but that will change.

[Juche]

10. The other 2 winners were pulling close to 200mpg

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-diamandis/congratulations-to-the-wi_b_718840.html

We awarded $5 million to the competition's Mainstream Class (seats four) category winner and $2.5 million each to the two Alternative Class (seats two) winners, one with tandem seating and one with traditional side-by-side seating.


* Edison2 LLC, based in Charlottesville, Va., won the $5 million mainstream class with its Very Light Car. This forward-looking, truly aerodynamic vehicle weighs less than 750 pounds and boasts a drag coefficient that is half of what is considered the best today. In the competition, the Very Light Car achieved just more than 100 MPGe and passed all safety and emissions criteria- made even more remarkable with the knowledge that the car runs on E85 ethanol.


o Li-ion Motors, based in Mooresville, N.C., won the $2.5 million alternative side-by-side class with its Wave II vehicle. This battery electric urban car was built on a lightweight aluminum chassis and includes a highly efficient battery package and aerodynamic features that enabled it to achieve 187 MPGe in on-track testing.


+ X-Tracer, based in Uster, Switzerland, won the $2.5 million alternative tandem class with its E-Tracer 7009 vehicle. The E-Tracer features two stabilizer wheels that automatically drop at low speeds or during sharp turns. It includes room for two in-line passengers and weekend baggage, and held the record high for efficiency in the competition, coming in at 197 MPGe.

[truedelphi]

12. This is such great information. Hope it gets the M$M's attention

it seems like M$M never loses a chance to blame the consumers, rather than touting what the indide explorers iside the field of alt energy are attempting.