X PRIZE Winner Highlights Benefits of Downweighting in Vehicle Design, Aluminum Industry Says

WASHINGTON, Sep 16, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group applauds the Edison2 "Very Light Car" Team for winning the 2010 Progressive X PRIZE competition with an aluminum-intensive car capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon or the energy equivalent (MPGe). The following statement was issued by Randall Scheps, Chairman of the Aluminum Transportation Group.

"Congratulations to the Edison2 team's for building an aluminum-intensive car that gets an incredible 100 miles per gallon. It is a great example of how high-strength yet low weight aluminum can be matched with smart design, and advanced powertrains to produce environmentally-friendly, safe and affordable cars and trucks.

The Edison2 team's achievement is well-timed since the Obama Administration currently is considering more stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations for both light and heavy-duty vehicle, with draft regulations expected out as early as this month. The winning X-prize cars offers more proof that the materials selected to construct a vehicle are critical to its weight, which -- in turn -- is critical to achieving high fuel economy with low emissions. When it comes to materials selection for the next generation of cars and trucks, aluminum delivers like no other and must be an integral part of the overall solution."