This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

February 13, 2013

Apps for Vehicles Challenge Finalists Announced

American innovators have once again responded to a national call to action. Nearly 40 teams submitted ideas in response to a $50,000 Apps for Vehicles Challenge that seeks to improve safety and fuel efficiency through data innovation.

Entrepreneurs were given the task of demonstrating new products or services that could help vehicle owners take advantage of largely untapped data from their own vehicles. Eight finalists have been selected to move on to the second phase of the competition based on the business plans and product prototypes they submitted during the first phase. Based on these initial submissions, it is already clear that these ideas could transform the transportation sector. For the complete story, read theEnergy Blog.