PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download Press Kit here.

August 1st, 2007 (Los Angeles, CA): The Society for Sustainable Mobility (SSM) officially announces its intention to compete in the Automotive X-Prize (AXP) contest. SSM will have to raise $5 Million USD in public support to develop the 100 MPGe vehicle. AXP has an aggressive schedule that requires teams to deliver working prototypes by 2009.

The Vehicle

SSM’s AXP entry will be a specialized version of our open-source, patent-pending Kernel™ hybrid electric vehicle. Already one year into development, the concept has been recognized at the Santa Monica Alt Car Expo in 2006 as one of the most innovative and feasible projects.

Kernel™-AXP will feature a unique drive-by-wire system similar to ones used in state-of-the-art aircraft controls. Power outputs from the drivetrain are adjusted using high-speed, real-time computers.

SSM is teaming up with key suppliers and other AXP teams to co-develop the technologies needed to reach the 100MPGe target.

Plug-and-Play Power Plant

Most importantly, our Kernel™-AXP entry will feature an adaptive electrical architecture that is not limited to one power source. This unmatched flexibility enables future alternative fuel developments and deployments.

The word “Kernel” means “Core”, a name borrowed from the software world. Kernel™ is our common electrical architecture and it is shared amongst all vehicles in the same product line.

Kernel™ defines certain characteristics that enable a VERY KEY piece of technology for the alternative fuel market, and that is the liberty for the fleet to adapt to ANY fuel sources: gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, hydrogen fuel cell, ethanol, natural gas – you name it, as long as the OEM is able to find a suitable electric generator conforming to the Kernel™ specification.

This breaks down the barrier to entry for alternative fuels because a Kernel™ owner does not have to purchase a new car when they want to switch to a different fuel. Simply swap out the original power generator with a new one, which could be done in under an hour.

The Kernel™ will also support the Grid-connected Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) architecture.

The Brains behind Kernel™-AXP

Other key players include Rotterdam University Department of Automotive Engineering, Rugged Electric LLC, Fabulo Design and the International Humanities Center (IHCenter.org).

Combining the best of European automotive engineering and American aerospace engineering, the Society for Sustainable Mobility (SSM) is an international team of elite engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

In addition, all SSM-developed intellectual properties will be owned by a nonprofit organization, which cannot be bought out or shut down. This guarantees that all SSM’s designs will be used for the good of humankind and planet Earth.

Funding Support

SSM, the nonprofit engineering group, will need to raise at least USD $5 Million to produce two working prototypes to enter the contest. It would cost an automotive company a similar amount to develop prototype vehicles.

SSM is seeking individual donations to overcome the extra challenge of competing as a non-profit organization.

“It is tough,” says Valerie Wilson, SSM’s Spokesperson, “since we cannot sell shares or borrow money like a commercial entity. All we are asking is for everybody to make a small contribution from $50 to $100 then we will reach our target very soon.” $100 is a fraction of what an average person would pay for gas in a year.

It is expected that government agencies in the United States and abroad will contribute to that budget.

To make a tax-deductible donation and be part of the winning team, please visit www.osgv.org

About SSM

The Society for Sustainable Mobility (SSM) is a “borderless” non-profit Automotive Engineering group whose focus is to apply Open Design philosophy to revolutionize the development and deployment of eco-friendly transportation. Established in 2005, SSM expanded its charter from the original “Open Source Green Vehicle” (OSGV) Project to include other forms of sustainability research activities. SSM has over 130 volunteers worldwide and a core group of elite aerospace and automotive engineers based in Los Angeles, California. SSM will show case its 100MPG+ Kernel™ hybrid-electric vehicle at the upcoming Automotive X-Prize competition in 2009; and proceed into production by 2011.

About the Automotive X-Prize

The Automotive X-Prize was created to stimulate automotive technology, manufacturing and marketing breakthroughs that radically reduce oil consumption and harmful emissions; and result in a new generation of super-efficient and desirable mainstream vehicles that people want to buy. More at http://auto.xprize.org/

The first X-Prize was a space competition in which the X PRIZE Foundation offered a US$10,000,000 prize for the first non-government organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. The first X-Prize aimed to spur development of low-cost spaceflight.