AMP Electric Car Accepted to Compete for the X Prize

The competition for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize seems to be really tough as over 40 teams have passed the qualification round. The X Prize competition is meant to inspire a new generation of super fuel-efficient vehicles.

Advanced Mechanical Products is proud to be one of the teams that have been accepted into the multimillion dollar competition.

“We are very excited about being accepted into the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition,” said Steve Burns, AMP CEO. “The AMP Electric Car we will be driving is an electric conversion of the GM Saturn Sky. Because it is a conversion, we feel the AMP methodology is the fastest way to put high-quality, safe, 100% electric cars on America’s streets. It’s an affordable, American-made, real car.”

Advanced Mechanical Products has sent its application on February 17 and a month later its team composed of Steve Burns, Team Leader; Tim Wieck, Mechanical Lead; Don Wires, Electrical Lead; and Dan Zito, Business Lead has been accepted to compete for the $10 million prize purse, funded by Progressive.

 The tempting prize will be given to the team that can design and build production-capable, 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent) vehicles. In addition, the vehicles should meet market needs for price, size, capability, safety and performance.

“We congratulate AMP Electric Car 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.”

The AMP Electric Car has passed the first round of qualification and will now enter the next phase of the competition. The next step is a rigorous long distance stage race competition.

However, the lucky winners will only be announced in 2010.