Progressive Automotive X Prize News: March 30th, 2008

California Cuts ZEV Mandate in Favor of Plug-In Hybrids. Under the new regs, automakers must build only 7,500 EVs/Hydrogen Vehicles between 2012 and 2014, instead of the old 25,000 (a 70% cut). But, they added a new policy which requires the production of 60,000 plug-in hybrids during that same time frame. EV advocates are still hurt, but many expected worse (with 90% cut predictions common), and the new PHEV requirement should do a lot to get usable vehicles into customers hands. Could California push harder? For sure. Is it still accomplishing something? YES. You can just see GM getting more serious about the Volt... Tesla Motors lobbied hard for them not to weaken the ZEV mandate, and I do think they are probably the biggest looser in this decision - except for maybe Phoenix Motors.

CNet: Prepping for the (Progressive Automotive) X Prize. They've expanded to include a photo and some brief details of 13 teams! Complete list: Fuel Vapor Tech, Kinetic Vehicles, Tilting Vehicle Australia, Commuter Cars Corp, Avion Car Company, Cornell University, MDI & Zero Pollution Motors, Venture Vehicles, Desert Fuel, Loremo, Psycho-Active, Greenhouse 2000, Velozzi. (you can see CNets original 10 entries as well)

How Stuff Works: Hybrid Car Information Channel, which has articles on the Tesla Roadster, the Aptera Hybrid, the PHEV, air-powered cars, and more. If you've got questions, they've got answers :-)

ZAP CEO talks about ZAP-X, Alias, Coke deal, and more, very upbeat.

Shai Agassi's speech on the future of electric cars, 25 minutes long. I can't believe how cheaply Project Better Place plans to transform Israel ($200M) - if he pulls this off, it'll be incredible. In related news, Denmark to launch PBP pilot program.

Gaia Transport, an AXP team, started a blog this month. Ken is angry about the inflated MPG claims that some people are making for PHEV cars - usually by ignoring the electricity as a fuel. The PAXP is also somewhat guilty, with their pump-to-wheels rule.

Plenty Magazine talks to Malcolm Bricklin of Visionary Vehicles, with attention also given to GM's Volt and Toyota's efforts towards a plug-in Prius. Bricklin believes that EV/E-REV type technology "levels the playing field", making it possible for maverick businessmen such as him to compete.

Aptera Hybrid Making Cameo in the Star Trek Movie, including a shot of it on the campus of California State University at Northridge, which is apparently being used for the location of Star Fleet. And the Aptera? The photographer called it "a weird looking rocket car thing". They should use that in their ads! Also in the news, Aptera moving from R&D to production.

Interview with Jory Squibb of Maine Automotive, plus he gives some very frank opinions on the New York Auto Show. Apparently their new vehicle is still going to be three wheel, but it will now be front wheel drive, plus use a 950cc Daihatsu turbo diesel engine.

The PAXP people have released a number of videos of their recent activity, including some highlights from the March 20th announcement of the prize, some statements from Glenn Renwick, CEO of Progressive, and some generic X Prize Foundation videos.

Martin Eberhard gives presentation on the future of transport to Hawaii. He makes a pitch about them becoming a tourist destination for learning about sustainable energy, which I think is a cool idea. And ala Project Better Place, Hawaii is a transport island, so it's well suited to an EV infrastructure project.

Th!nk City EV on sale in UK this fall. Top speed only 65 MPH, but it does have a 124 mile range and 0-30MPH in 6.5 seconds, so it should be great for driving around London. £14,000.

Triciclo Pompéo, a three-wheel "half-car" which is to be made for Brazil. There is a very nice video of the computer rendering of the vehicle, but little information beyond that.

I discovered this week the Great Race MPG Challenge, a race across America which will "begin on August 14, 2008, in New York City and finish about 10 days later, on August 23 in San Francisco." Schools (college, university or trade school) will race converted Toyota Prius PHEVs for a chance at a $1M prize.