SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SESSION

11100512D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 828
Offered February 8, 2011
Commending Edison2.
----------

Patrons-- Armstrong, Bell, Robert B., Byron, Garrett, Marshall, D.W. and Toscano; Senators: Deeds and Smith
----------

WHEREAS, Edison2, an automotive innovation company based in Lynchburg, won the Mainstream Class Prize in the Progressive Insurance Automotive XPrize; and

WHEREAS, the Progressive Insurance Automotive XPrize competition encourages the creation of viable and super-efficient vehicles; 111 teams from 15 countries participated in the competition; and

WHEREAS, the Progressive Insurance Automotive XPrize Mainstream Class requires cars to seat four passengers, go at least 200 miles on a tank or charge, and meet stringent performance, handling, and emissions standards all while achieving over 100 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent; and

WHEREAS, Oliver Kuttner, the chief executive officer of Edison2, assembled a team of top racing and aerospace engineers, designers, and mechanics to put together the company’s Very Light Car; and

WHEREAS, the components of the Very Light Car were designed to be light yet strong, using racing experience and knowledge to augment the safety of the low-mass car; and

WHEREAS, the Very Light Car, with a combination of light weight and low aerodynamic drag, has a conventional internal combustion engine that runs on 85 percent ethanol fuel; and

WHEREAS, as the winner of the Mainstream Class Prize, Edison2 received $5 million and looks to build its research and development capacity to demonstrate that light car principles can improve efficiency for electric, hybrid, diesel, and natural gas systems; and

WHEREAS, the success of Edison2 was recognized by Governor Bob McDonnell on September 16, 2010, and the Very Light Car was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 50 best inventions of 2010; and

WHEREAS, the availability, quality, and expertise of machine shops in and around Lynchburg and Campbell County were instrumental in allowing Edison2 design innovations to be built quickly; and

WHEREAS, the XPrize-winning #98 car now resides on display in the prestigious Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, the success of Edison2’s Very Light Car in the Progessive Insurance Automotive XPrize Mainstream Class is a reflection of the creativity, knowledge, and dedication of Edison2’s entire work force; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Edison2 for its receipt of the Mainstream Class Prize in the Progressive Insurance Automotive XPrize; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Oliver Kuttner, chief executive officer of Edison2, as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and best wishes in its future endeavors.