The West Philly Hybrid X Team is one of 111 teams that entered the international contest. Twenty-two remain, and West Philadelphia is the only high school to make the cut.
The X Prize will be awarded in September to teams that create fuel-efficient, production-ready vehicles that get the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.
Mayor Michael Nutter led a pep rally Wednesday at City Hall ahead of the team's weekend departure for the next stage of the contest at Michigan International Speedway.
West Philly is competing with a modified Ford Focus and Factory Five GTM sports car that the students built from a kit.
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Online:
Progressive Auto X Prize: www.progressiveautoxprize.org