Automotive X Prize News: June 22nd, 2008

Niel Young has a bad case of the greens. Apparently he is planning to make a movie out of his Automotive X Prize effort.

ZAP Alias prototype built; the Obvio disappears. The ZAP Alias official page now links to a presentation, which is supposed to include details of a prototype Alias. The slides contain nothing but the rendering we have seen for years, but the audio, starting at 10:40, says that "the prototype is being built now, and the engineering is mostly finished, with vehicles expected to hit the streets by the end of 2009". Also, Eqbal Al Yousuf Purchases $1 Million Stake in ZAP's Battery Business, giving him 50% ownership.

GM fights to attract high-tech engineers - they are "badly in need of fresh engineering talent and likely will be for years to come."

Lightweight Hungarian three-seater gets 117mpg in the city!, a mere 600 lbs, and a proposed $18k, with solar panels and carbon fiber. But safety seems to be a big concern of readers... Check out the Official Solo-Duo webpage, good if you can read Hungarian.

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Mitsubishi Motors Start Feasibility Study on EV Cooperation.

Honda to revive the Insight name for new hybrid, a potential direct competitor for the Prius, which would get 50-55 MPG.

The Electric Car Lives, about the Think OX, a highway-capable EV.

Lutz: $40,000 is Breakeven Price for the Chevy Volt and First Generation Will Not Make Money For GM.

Miss the Google Plug-In conference? Plug In America has got your back, with 8 hours of recorded video.