Google searches for hybrids
Search
engine giant offering $10 million for plug-ins
Jack Herman,
Automotive News | 4:29 pm, June 19, 2007
In its short
life, Google has become the
search engine, a Wall Street phenomenon and even a verb. And now it's throwing
its hat in the hybrid automotive ring.
In California on Monday, June 18, Google and utility giant Pacific Gas &
Electric Co. showed off an experimental fleet of plug-in hybrids that they say
has averaged 74 mpg in tests.
In addition,
www.Google.org, Google's philanthropic organization, announced it will
invest $10 million to help speed the commercialization of plug-ins -- fully
electric cars.
"Google is committed to using its resources to help solve the global climate
challenge," Larry Brilliant, executive director of Google.org, said in a
statement.
Google has converted a fleet of six vehicles - four Toyota Priuses and two Ford
Escapes -- into plug-ins, according to The
Washington Post. They use batteries designed by A123 Systems, of
Watertown, Mass.
One of the Priuses allows for the two-way flow of electricity. When plugged in,
the car receives a wireless signal that determines whether to add or draw power
from the battery, according to The New York
Times.
Google will track the daily fuel and energy use of the experimental vehicles on
the project's Web site,
www.RechargeIt.org.
You may e-mail Jack Herman at
jherman@crain.com
PRINTED FROM: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070619/REG/70619022/1135/&template=printart