TechJunction

Carmakers are already charging batteries, tuning engines, and inflating tires to get ready for the Progressive Automotive X Prize contest, which will deliver $10 million to the winner whose car can exceed 100 miles per gallon. At the New York auto show last week, the X Prize Foundation unveiled Progressive Insurance as the sponsor of one of the most interesting auto contests to date.

We’ll take our second look at some of the competitors. (The first batch is here.) The cars in this gallery were chosen to show off some of the more interesting concepts and designs. Contestants range from small garage owners to companies like Tesla looking to find a niche in the luxury car business.

FuelVapor Technologies of British Columbia developed a three-wheel car called the Alé (left). It contains an engine that runs off gasoline fumes instead of the gasoline itself. The company estimates that a 10-gallon tank full of gas can run for 15 hours. Plus, it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Alé was featured on NBC’s Today Show and at the New York auto show last week.

Credit: FuelVapor Technologies

Vehicles of all shapes and sizes—and at different stages of development. The winning car must have gas mileage that exceeds 100 mpg (cars not powered by gasoline will have to meet its equivalent); meet strict emission standards; compete in two stage races; and be safe, affordable, and desirable. Competitors have signed a letter of intent to compete, not an official application.

The rules and deadlines for the competition have not been finalized. It looks like the winner will be determined in the summer of 2010.

In contrast to the highly polished entries, Kinetic Vehicles from Oregon is using the body of an early ‘80s Toyota wagon to test its low-weight, low-drag diesel engine that will end up in a two-seater for the competition. The company, which specializes in components for homemade vehicles, has dubbed the wagon the Corrode Warrior.

Credit: Kinetic Vehicles

From Kilborn, Australia, comes the Tilting Vehicle, which is a four-wheel automobile that has the stability of a larger car and the efficiency of a motorcycle.

Credit: Tilting Vehicle

The Tango from Commuter Cars is a plug-in, all-electric vehicle that’s only 39 inches wide. Commuter Cars believes that taking up less space on the highway will ease congestion. Its goal is for Tango to reach a speed of 120 mph and go from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. Its size makes it easy to park and there is a seat behind the driver.

Credit: Commuter Cars Corp.

The Avion Car Company of Washington has been building environmentally friendly cars for the past 20 years using recycled components. It achieved 103.7 mpg on a drive from Mexico to Canada in 1986—a time when no one really cared. The company claims its latest vehicle is the lightest of its kind at 1,500 pounds. Recent tests have it hitting 114 mpg with an average speed of 55 mph.

Credit: Avion

Another veteran of the Today Show and the New York auto show (pictured) is Zero Pollution Motors’ Compressed Air Car. The vehicle has achieved from 96 to 106 mpg in tests over an 850-mile course. It runs on cold air up to 35 mph. Then air is heated by a gas or electric heater to make it expand and give the car a boost.

Credit: Zero Pollution Motors

VentureOne is a three-wheeler that rides like a motorcycle, although it is fully enclosed and uses pedals. Like the Tilting Vehicle from Australia, VentureOne hopes to gain efficiency through stability and control.

Credit: VentureOne

Loremo, which stands for “Light Resistance Mobile,” takes its weight seriously. The company says that by reducing weight and air resistance, the Loremo, which is built in Germany, can reach 117 mpg.

Don’t be fooled by the top photograph. The Loremo is a small car that can pack two adults and two children in the rear. For safety, the car has no side doors; the front and rear open up to allow the driver and passengers to enter.

Credit: Loremo

Another sporty-looking car is the Velozzi, an electric car that runs on lithium-ion batteries. But builders say the technology that goes into the car is top secret.

Credit: Velozzi

energy efficient cars via news.com