DOE Awards up to $5.5 Million to X PRIZE to Promote Clean, Energy-Efficient Vehicles

2 November 2009

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is providing up to $5.5 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support the X PRIZE Foundation’s work to inspire a new generation of energy efficient vehicles. The funding, which builds on a partnership with the X PRIZE Foundation that began in 2008, will provide technical assistance and expand national education and outreach efforts for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE competition.

The Department of Energy will provide technical expertise to ensure that each of the competition designs is reviewed correctly and consistently. Funding will also support expanded outreach and education efforts that will focus on promoting public awareness of the science and engineering behind energy efficient vehicle designs.

This year’s award will build on previous work between DOE and the X PRIZE Foundation and established a multi-tiered educational approach to clean energy vehicle technologies, including an online, interactive knowledge center targeted at students.