In April the Progressive X Prize announced there were 111 teams registered for the competition, from 11 countries and 25 US states, each with an unique story to tell and a somewhat different take on how to build an efficient car.
Now only 41 teams remain, but one of the most interesting teams is one that dropped out: the Kinetic Vehicles team from Cave Junction, Oregon.
Dropped out is not completely accurate. Kinetic Vehicles have been working on the MAX 100mpg+ car since before the X Prize and are continuing to refine it, intending it as a sub-$10K do-it-yourself project. This is a working car; in October 2008 they drove MAX from Oregon to the Escape From Berkeley alternative fuels competition, and won.
Team leader Jack McCornack writes regularly about MAX and sustainability for Mother Earth News. Good reading as he reports on MAX’s progress and related issues: we share his concerns about the electric car bandwagon.
Mr. McCornack plans to attend the competition, albeit as a journalist (“I expect MAX will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the press corps"). We look forward to meeting you, Jack – keep up the good work!