Hybrid cars have forever changed the automotive world

The X-Prize Foundation is going to move beyond spaceships and start an automotive contest. "To win, a team must create practical, fuel-efficient vehicles 'that far exceed anything available on the market today.'" (DetroitNews)

The X-Prize Foundation announced this contest at the 2006 Society of Automotive Engineers Conference where innovation is the key buzzword this year.

While some engineers are focused on hybrid alternatives, there is no doubt that the success of hybrid cars, especially the Toyota Prius, has radically altered the automotive world. In the past, smaller vehicles were the only option to higher gas prices, however, customers now realize that technology can solve many of these fuel problems and consumers are starting to demand better technology from automakers.