The One Gallon Challenge is a chance for everyone to get a look at some ultra-economical vehicles and to see them perform in real-life conditions. These vehicles will travel from Northampton, MA on Thursday, August 19th, the opening day of Boston Greenfest 2010, to see how they travel the 110 miles to Boston on the energy of one gallon of gasoline. The application process is now open and will remain open until Friday, August 13th.

We are looking for vehicles that are light weight, have good aerodynamics, and use very efficient propulsion systems to stretch the energy which fuels them, while at the same time allowing passengers the safety and comfort we insist on. Here is a short description of a few potential vehicles:

The Roopod is even slicker and lighter, being built almost entirely of aluminum, by an Industrial Designer from western Massachusetts. See www.roopod.com for details. It is powered by a 2-cylinder diesel engine.

Dirigo, a three-wheeled diesel two passenger vehicle is made in Maine. It recently won its class in the Green Grand Prix, averaging 90 MPG. Can you tell it was designed by boat builders?

Gaia Transport's entry is a single passenger commuter.

Exertrike's "Stealth" is powered by human, electric, and diesel power.

Moonbeam, also made in Maine, is a well-proven 100 MPG around-town vehicle. Moonbeam has been twice to the Altwheels Festival in Boston, but making a 100 mile journey on its own wheels will be a new experience.

A third entry from Maine will be a truck, not a passenger car. The Ricker Truck, is in the process of getting a body.

"EV Jerry" will be competing in his "Spirit of DC", a plug-in Prius Hybrid which has just finished visiting all the state capitals in the lower 48 states.