What Can the New X-Prize Accomplish?

Almost 2 years ago I drove out to the Mojave Desert in the middle of the morning to watch Burt Rutan blast into suborbital space with SpaceShipOne. While the X-Prize did accomplish its goal, the private business space race has been slow to develop. Of course, conquering space is much more complicated than building an extremely fuel efficient vehicle, isn't it?

That's why the X-Prize's newest venture, a 250 mpg vehicle, is very compelling.

It seems automakers can develop extremely efficient technologies, for example, hybrid cars with lithium-ion batteries, or hybrids that plug-in to the grid for extra power. Combined with lighter materials, new aerodynamic designs, and the automotive revolution seems at hand.

So, why isn't it happening?

While I don't really think the X-Prize will result in much that the standard auto industry hasn't explored, I think the X-Prize could inspire the public - the average auto consumer. The time has come for America to rethink its relationship to the automobile, hopefully, the X-Prize can spur that movement.