With the price of gas skyrocketing in the US, the need for a highly efficient vehicle is greater than ever. Combine that with a concern about global warming, and you have a marketplace that is ready and willing to invest in super fuel-efficient vehicles.
The Automotive X Prize intends to speed up the search for fuel-efficient vehicles by offering a $10 million prize to anyone who can produce a production ready vehicle that boasts 100 mile per gallon efficiency.
Of course, 10 million dollars is a small charge for most huge auto manufacturers. Still, Automotive X Prize hopes it will be enough to fuel the imagination of inventors around the globe, and result in the world’s most fuel-efficient vehicle.
But the prize isn’t just about fuel efficiency. They’re looking for more than a prototype vehicle that can get 100 miles per gallon in a closed environment. The prize will be awarded to the vehicle that achieves 100 miles per gallon AND wins a race, proving that it is production ready and can easily take its place beside any other vehicle on the world’s major roads and highways.
So far, 64 teams have signed up to compete in the contest. They range from small “mom-and-pop” shop automakers, to more advanced electric car makers such as Tesla Motors. Even a few school groups are taking part, including one team from a high school in Philadelphia.
The Automotive X Prize, a California nonprofit foundation, has also recently received a $3.5 million grant from the US Department of energy, which will help fund the contest.
A vehicle that can get 100 miles per gallon isn’t exactly a first. In fact, Volkswagen has produced a three-wheeled concept vehicle called “The Vortex” capable of an astounding 235 miles per gallon! Ford and other automakers also have prototype vehicles capable of 100 miles per gallon or better under certain conditions.
But the X Prize won’t be awarded to any of these prototypes. The foundation is looking for a bona fide production ready vehicle that can hold its own with any other car on the road. Currently, the most fuel-efficient cars in production in the US are capable of in the neighborhood of 50 miles per gallon. In Europe, several small cars — especially diesels — can routinely get 70 miles per gallon.
But to produce a vehicle that can consistently get 100 miles per gallon in regular everyday driving situations is no small feat. Interestingly enough, none of the big US automakers from Detroit have entered the X Prize contest, although one small start up from Ann Arbor Michigan (not affiliated with any of the major car manufacturers) has applied.
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Every summer or spring, it’s always great to go outdoors with your friends or family and enjoy the night outside the comforts of your home. The thrill of being closer to nature, enjoying live music through your friend’s guitar or just enjoying those sweet marshmallows in a campfire is a always a worthy experience to remember. Although it’s way better to be in our home watching TV, the excitement of the forest without being placed in danger always entices us to be in the forest every year.
But that experience is rather difficult to look for if you’re not an experienced camper. If it’s your first time, it’s always a challenge where to go for camping since there are practically hundreds of campsites in each state.
Here are some tips on how you can actually enjoy the night in the woods, even if it’s just your first time.
1. Research – like any other travel plans you’re making, get the most information you can about a specific area you are interested in. Here are the things that you should be looking for: if you’re traveling with an RV, look for parking information. There are camping sites where their RVs can be parked in the campsite while most needs a little bit of hiking which is just a 15 minute walk from the parking area. Access to water is also an important information. If you don’t know, be sure to bring one. Last but not the least, cooking facilities; there are campsites that offer use of the cooking facilities while some let you explore your fire making abilities.
2. Do not go to uncharted areas – hold your sense of adventure and stick to the route provided by the campsite administrators. There is one simple reason why you need to stay away from these areas: bears. All right, if there is no bear, it doesn’t mean the area is not dangerous. Snakes and other dangerous animals and insects are regulars of the forests. You already saw in documentary channels how animals can attack so you have to stay away from these places yourself.
3. State and local parks are your best bet – there are private camping sites that post their information online, which are not bad. However, if it’s your first time and you don’t know what you need to do or where to go, always go for the state or local parks first. These government controlled areas may not have the best facilities compared to privately owned parks, but you can bet that these are safe and convenient enough for a good start in camping experience.
4. The view – no, I’m not talking about the TV show but you have to consider the view when you book something online. Always go for a camping site that offers pictures of the area. Without them, you don’t know what you’re in for. Without the view, your camping experience will be like sitting in the middle of the forest waiting for something really bad to happen.
So be prepared and get lots of information from your intended camping site. Only through preparedness ensures you and your family a great time in the camping site.
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