Steve Burns, CEO of Amp, says the recent Gulf spill is prompting more people to think about trading in their old gas-guzzlers for something greener. "The spill is a good example that 'easy oil' is gone. Companies now must go further and deeper to get oil using methods that are more dangerous, and more expensive.
Amp is one of the few so-called "green car" start-ups actually doing most of its research, design and production work in the Midwest rather than on either coast. The company is already selling a converted electric version of the Chevrolet Equinox at a dealership in Cincinnati. It plans to expand regionally in the short term, and eventually, sell electric cars at dealers nationwide.
Burns says a big part of the "green" discussion these days is about energy efficiency, and he believes it should apply to cars, too. He points out that with a regular car, only about 15 percent of the energy that comes from burning gasoline actually helps turn the wheels. "Electrical machines are the inverse, they're 85 to 90 percent efficient. So, in the end, we know that we can't keep propelling ourselves around in such inefficient machines."
Read the full story:
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/14141-1
The Amp electric racer has advanced to the "Knockout" Qualifying Stage of the intense multi-stage Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE competition. The competition will pit some of the world’s most fuel efficient vehicles against one another in a quest to win their share of a $10 million prize.
The 100% Electric Amp Passes Shakedown Stage at MIS
Amp advanced to the Knockout Qualifying Stage by passing the on-track performance Shakedown tests conducted at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in late April. Tests included: 0 to 60 acceleration, braking, durability, as well as a collision avoidance safety test.
Steve Burns, CEO of Amp, stated, "We were pleased that Consumer Reports participated in the qualification of these vehicles during the Shakedown Stage – such intense scrutiny can only serve to further validate these vehicles as safe, reliable and highway capable."
When the competition started in February 2009, 111 teams from 11 countries applied for entry. In order to advance, teams first qualified by passing a design review and the scrutiny of the X PRIZE judging panel, which includes some of the country’s leading engineers. With the Shakedown Stage complete, Amp is one of 22 teams to advance to the Knockout Qualifying Stage of the competition.
Mr. Burns continued, "Our 100% electric conversions of both the well-engineered GM Saturn Sky and the full-size 2010 GM Chevy Equinox are exactly what consumers are wanting to buy - viable super-efficient vehicles that are ideal for everyday use."
Read the press release:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/05/prweb4007044.htm
The first leg of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is now underway. The Amp Team arrived at the Michigan International Speedway yesterday for the X PRIZE Shakedown. This week our vehicle will be run through a set of inspections and tests to prove that it is ready to compete in the race this summer.
This morning we were proud to be the first vehicle to pass the first vehicle inspection. Hopefully this will be the first of many successes this week.
Make sure to subscribe to our blog feed or twitter account to stay up to date as the Shakedown event continues.
http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/