Filed under: MPG, Automotive X-Prize

The on-track testing portions of the Automotive X-Prize are over with, and the vast majority of teams have been eliminated from contention. However, the $10 million in prize money won't be handed out until September 16. Before those checks are signed, the remaining competitors will have to complete a drive cycle on a dynamometer at the Argonne National Labratory. The dyno results will be averaged with the on-track results and the final numbers will have to top the 100 MPGe values originally set as the goal for the X-Prize. If the vehicles don't average 100 MPGe they can't claim the prize money. On top of that, all vehicles need well-to-wheels CO2 emissions of under 200 grams per mile.

The vehicles will be tested for fuel efficiency, range, emissions and hill climbing capability. The latter test will require the vehicles to maintain 55 miles per hour for 15 minutes on a simulated four percent grade.

In the mainstream class ($5 million purse), only the two vehicles from Edison2 made it through the knockouts, but both experienced engine damage during the coast down testing. Because of timing issues, the vehicles couldn't be repaired in time for the Argonne testing but officials are considering allowing them to use previous test results done by Roush Engineering. In the alternative (tandem) class ($2.5 million), only X-Tracer (pictured) remains. There are five teams left in the alternative (side-by-side) class ($2.5 million). We'll see who - if anyone - rides away with the prizes in two weeks.

[Source: Automotive X-Prize]

Continue reading Automotive X-Prize: no money until cars pass dynamometer validation tests

Automotive X-Prize: no money until cars pass dynamometer validation tests originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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