In addition to providing more consumer choices and helping preserve natural resources, a key goal of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is to engage students and the public in learning about advanced vehicle technologies, energy efficiency, climate change, alternative fuels, and the science and math behind efficient vehicle development. The U.S. Department of Energy plans to make up to a $3.5 million USD grant to fund a world-class Progressive Automotive X PRIZE program, subject to appropriation from Congress.

This program will engage will engage students and showcase the 21st century skills students will need to compete in our new global economy: teamwork, creativity, strong literacy, math and science skills and innovative thinking. The program will provide comprehensive online resources easily accessible to students, parents and teachers. This online knowledge center will provide an interactive experience that will allow both students and the general public to follow the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE vehicles as they perform in real-time during the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE races and learn about key science and technology issues as a result.

“This grant represents one of the most important ways the Energy Department is leveraging private sector expertise to educate and engage the public about utilizing clean, cutting-edge technologies to transform our transportation sector,” DOE Assistant Secretary Karsner said. “Our support and collaboration with the Automotive X PRIZE aims to not only demonstrate the practical and much-needed use of advanced and energy-efficient vehicle technologies to reduce our dependence on oil, but we hope it will also inspire our next generation to pursue careers in math, science and education and engineering, so America remains at the forefront of innovation and discovery.”

The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE education program will further engage students through national contests that ask them to imagine what the role of transportation will be in their future world. The program will be designed to build excitement among students, engaging them in a competitive and creative process while conveying the X PRIZE approach to fostering breakthroughs that benefit humanity through competition.