November 19, 2008 03:00 ET

Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Announces First Round of Registered Teams in Competition to Develop 100 MPGe Vehicles

Tata Motors and Aptera Among First Wave of Contenders Moving to Next Stage of Competition

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 19, 2008) - Today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE announced that 22 contenders have applied and been accepted to Registered Team status, in the multimillion dollar competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles.

These Registered Teams, representing 5 countries, 10 states and 28 vehicles altogether, are among the first to have submitted their registration applications, a crucial step towards ensuring that they are at the starting line when the stage race portion of the competition kicks off next year. Additional entrants have until early 2009 to submit their applications.

The following teams will spend the next year refining their automobile(s) and business models in order to participate in those stage races. Several other teams have been accepted, but remain confidential.

-- ADIABATIC-New York (USA)
   www.lydellindustries.com
   Vehicle Name: 426 Wedge
   Fuel Type:  Gas, Optional Plug-in
   Class: Mainstream

-- APTERA-California (USA)
   www.aptera.com
   Vehicle Name: The Aptera
   Fuel Type:  Electric / Hybrid  Electric
   Class: Alternative

-- AVION - Washington (USA)
   www.100mpgplus.com
   Class: Alternative

-- BDCOTSRUS - Florida (USA)
   www.bdcotsrus.com
   Vehicle Name: BD1
   Fuel Type:  Diesel / Electric Grid
   Class: Mainstream

-- EDDISON *2 - MASS MANAGEMENT -Virginia (USA)
   Fuel Type:  Gasoline or Natural Gas
   Class:  Mainstream

-- ENERMOTION - Ontario (Canada)
   www.enermotion.ca
   Vehicle Name: XP100
   Class: Mainstream

-- ENVERA - California (USA)
   www.VCREngine.com
   Vehicle Name: XP1
   Fuel Type:  Premium Gasoline
   Class: Alternative

-- KINETIC VEHICLES - Oregon (USA)
   www.kineticvehicles.com
   Vehicle Name: MAX
   Fuel Type:  Diesel (petro, bio or straight vegetable oil)
   Class: Alternative

-- KINETIX MOTORS - California (USA)
   www.kinetixmotors.com
   Vehicle Name: E4 Sport Hatch
   Fuel Type:  Diesel
   Class: Mainstream

-- MDI / ZPM -  Nice (France)/ New York (USA)
   www.zeropollutionmotors.com
   Vehicle Name: Air Car
   Fuel Type:  Compressed Air
   Class: Alternative

-- MILLMAC - Florida (USA)
   www.millmac.com
   Vehicle Name: Ceata
   Fuel Type:  Gasoline and Ethanol (or combo)
   Class: Mainstream

-- NELSON TYWA POWER CORP. - North Carolina (USA)
   www.home.earthlink.net/~pegisist/index.html
   Vehicle Name: EMC 2 Plus
   Fuel Type: Primary Gasoline, Alternatives Propane, Natural Gas,
   Diesel, Ethanol
   Class: Mainstream

-- PHYSICS LAB OF LAKE HAVASU - Arizona (USA)
   www.physicslablh.com
   Vehicle Name: Green Giant
   Fuel Type: Electric, Diesel, Steam/waste heat, Solar PV, Hydraulic
   Class: Mainstream

-- RED LIGHT RACING - Maryland (USA)
   www.redlightracing.org
   Vehicle Name: Insight 1G
   Fuel Type:  Diesel or Biodiesel
   Class: Alternative

-- SYNERGY INNOVATIONS ELECTRIC MINI - London (UK)
   Vehicle Name: Electric MINI
   Fuel Type:  Electricity
   Class: Mainstream

-- TATA MOTORS - India and Coventry (UK)
   Vehicle Name: Indica Vista Hybrid and Nano EV
   Fuel Type: Electricity/Gasoline
   Class: Mainstream and Alternative

-- TTW ITALIA - Turin (Italy)
   www.ttwvehicles.com
   Vehicle Name: TTW Vehicle 1
   Fuel Type: CNG
   Class: Alternative

-- WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY - Washington (USA)
   http://vri.etec.wwu.edu/
   Vehicle Name: Viking 45
   Fuel Type: Gasoline, Electricity,
   Biomethane/CNG
   Class: Alternative

-- WIKISPEED - Colorado (USA)
   www.wikispeed.com
   Vehicle Name: SGT01
   Fuel Type: Gasoline
   Class: Mainstream

-- ZAP-California (USA)
   www.zapworld.com
   Vehicle Name: Alias
   Fuel Type: Electric
   Class: Alternative

Final confirmation of each team's Registered Team status will occur when they sign a Master Team Agreement (MTA) upon its release later this year.

"We congratulate this first group of competitors on their continued commitment to developing more super fuel efficient car choices," noted Julie Zona, Director of Team Development and Relations for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. "The technologies reflected in this first wave of Registered Teams are as diverse as the teams themselves, and we look forward to hearing more about their individual ideas in advance of the stage race competition."

A project of the X PRIZE Foundation, the independent and technology-neutral competition is open to teams from around the world who can design, build and bring to market 100 MPG or energy equivalent (MPGe) fuel economy vehicles that people want to buy. More than 100 additional teams have signed Letters of Intent to compete for their share of the $10 million prize purse, funded by Progressive, and are actively considering entry.

The competition is expected to travel through multiple cities in 2009 and 2010, building consumer demand for vehicles in the competition and demonstrating many practical, clean and affordable vehicle options. Cities involved in the competition route are expected to be announced in early 2009. Winners will be announced in 2010.

About the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Competition:

The goal of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, a project of the X PRIZE Foundation, is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage race for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe.

The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on affordability, safety, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today's oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. For more information about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email progressiveautopress@xprize.org.

About Progressive:

Progressive, founded in 1937, is one of the country's largest auto insurance groups and a leading insurer of motorcycles, recreation vehicles, boats, and commercial vehicles. The Company offers competitive rates and innovative products and services that meet drivers' needs throughout their lifetimes as well as 24/7 online and in-person customer and claims service.

One of Progressive's Core Values is Excellence. To the Company's more than 27,000 people, it simply means seeking constant improvement. Over time, this has meant introducing revolutionary ideas that make car insurance easier to shop for, buy and use. It's this same innovative spirit that's behind the Company's sponsorship of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE will inspire innovation that will produce more fuel efficient vehicle choices, helping to make a difference in people's lives.

Progressive's products and services are available locally through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., online at http://www.progressive.com and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737).

***NOTE TO THE MEDIA***

Cristin Lindsay, Vice President of Prize Management and Julie Zona, Director of Team Development and Relations for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE will be available for interviews from the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19 and 20. To arrange an interview, please contact Carrie Fox at 202-255-9214.