Automotive X Prize Finalists (PHOTOS): 9 Cars That Could Change The World

They're aerodynamic, they're snappy, and, best of all, they're efficient.

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize has announced the finalists in its competition to develop a new breed of energy efficient vehicles.

Just 9 cars (down from 136) remain in the competition, which aims to "inspire a new generation of super fuel efficient vehicles." The cars, which go through a grueling series of tests and technical inspections to determine their road-worthiness, must be able to handle real-world scenarios. "It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars," the X Prize Foundation explains.

Check out the finalists in the slideshow below, then vote for your favorite on the X Prize website.

Images courtesy of the X Prize Foundation.