Most production cars fell far short of true fuel efficiency, with little public awareness or market demand for ultra-efficient designs. Without innovation, vehicles would remain high-emission, resource-intensive, and costly to operate.

Breakthrough solutions would prove it’s possible to build production-capable vehicles exceeding 100 MPGe or equivalent—combining efficiency, performance, and low emissions without sacrificing practicality or driver experience.

The $10M Progressive Insurance Automotive XPRIZE set out to prove that super-efficient, production-ready cars weren’t science fiction—they could be built and driven today. Launched in 2007, the competition challenged teams worldwide to design vehicles capable of achieving more than 100 miles per gallon or energy equivalent, while meeting rigorous safety, emissions, and performance standards.

Over three years of design, track trials, and road testing, competitors demonstrated that radical efficiency could be achieved without sacrificing drivability. Edison2 ultimately claimed the $5M Mainstream Class prize with its “Very Light Car,” showcasing the power of lightweight design and aerodynamics.

More than a single winner, the prize reshaped expectations for clean transportation. It accelerated advances in battery technology, lightweight materials, and aerodynamics, while proving to automakers, regulators, and the public that breakthrough efficiency was possible. The competition’s influence continues to be felt in the evolution of today’s electric and ultra-efficient vehicles.

Launched in 2008, the competition concluded in 2010 when Edison2’s Very Light Car won the $5M Mainstream Class prize.