Electric vehicles in 2012 edition Baja 1000

They call it the most challenging automobile race in the harshest racing conditions on the planet: the Baja 1000 in Mexico. The event organizer has announced a new challenge: develop solar-powered electric vehicles to compete in next year’s race.

Organizer SCORE and Redstone Energy Group aiming for the best and brightest electric vehicle and solar technology fields to work with racing teams to develop an electric-powered “EVPV” Baja race vehicle with battery charging provided by solar power. The organizers hope the challenge will serve as a catalyst for developing the clean technologies of the future and, in turn, help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels. Racing has always translated to big advances on the highways.

“The goal is to apply technology and ingenuity, at which our nation excels, to create world-changing results,” said SCORE President & CEO, Sal Fish in announcing the new car-racing division and challenge cup.

“By demonstrating that the technology can maneuver the rugged terrain of an off-road racecourse for 1,000 miles, this will show the world that this technology is more than ready for use in typical urban commuter settings,” added Sun Cup Challenge and Redstone Energy Group co-founder, Rick Skelton.

Retired Army Three Star General James Pillsbury, CEO of Redstone Energy Group and former Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, underscored the importance of this initiative to America’s energy security and noted that the U.S. military is already testing EVPV buggy technology in the field. “As these technologies take off in the military and the civil sectors it will help create home-grown jobs and enhance U.S. economic growth,” he said.

Cole Walker, co-founder of Redstone, reminded the audience that 60 minutes of sun would power the world’s energy needs for a year. “If an electric car powered by the sun can cross the 1000 mile desert it can get you to the office.” he added.