Local Motors is hosting a competition to design an electric vehicle that captures the true essence of San Francisco. The submission deadline is 1 September 2009. The first three prizes are $2,000, $500 and $200 respectively.

Brief Background

San Francisco and the Bay Area is one of the most innovative and culturally important communities of the last 100 years and is now ready to be the "Electric Car Capital of the World". Already home to electric car maker Tesla and potential recharging grid network Better Place, San Francisco is at the epicenter of a shift in the automotive industry towards alternative technologies and innovative business models. Local Motors invites San Francisco to transform the auto industry in a new way: help choose a vehicle which excites you, meets your needs and embraces sustainable design.

Mission is to design an electric vehicle for the "City by the Bay" and design it to accommodate the needs and desires of the car lovers in this area. In this case, that means a compact yet spacious and versatile Shooting-Brake design.

The trademark of a shooting-brake is its unique balance of style and utility. A shooting-brake is spacious enough to accommodate a battery pack, passengers and cargo. It is small enough to be lightweight and agile on the steep hills and changing landscape of the San Francisco Bay area. While San Francisco does not need another luxury car or two-seat sports jobby, car lovers in this city do crave a style and excitement that is all their own. This is what you will design and we will build for San Francisco.

For more information visit Local Motors.

Competition Details:

Important Dates:

• August 26th, 2009 - Submissions Begin
• September 1, 2009 - Submission Deadline
• September 8, 2009 - Voting Deadline

Awards:

• 1st Place-$2,000 + Status + Exclusive "In the Studio" Winner T-Shirt
• 2nd Place-$500 + Status + Exclusive "In the Studio" Winner T-Shirt
• 3rd Place-$200 + Status + Exclusive "In the Studio" Winner T-Shirt

(Source: Local Motors)