Google Launches Major Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Car Initiatives
RechargeIT.org or Google.org Project was launched to expedite public awareness and commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and all-electric vehicles with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities that allows the cars’ owners to sell power back to the grid during peak load hours. To fund development, adoption and commercialization, Google.org has awarded $1 million in grants already and announced plans for a $10 million request for proposals (RFP) this summer.
To demonstrate the potential of this new technology, Google has partnered with A123Systems/Hymotion to convert a small fleet of hybrid cars into plug-ins and published preliminary performance data at www.rechargeit.org. The experimental fleet of plug-in Prius models has averaged 74mpg to date, compared with 41mpg for the test fleet of non-plug-in Prius hybrids. So far there are 4 Toyota Priuses: 2 are standard hybrids and 2 are modified plug-in hybrids.
- Plug-Ins
- Galapagos
- Great Barrier Reef
- Standard:
- Garamba
- Kilimanjaro
Featuring Jim Woolsey, Chelsea Sexton, Larry Brilliant and others, this video describes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, vehicle to grid (V2G) as part of Google.org’s RechargeIT project.
This is a very impressive resource page by Google with links to even plug-in hybrid converter companies. Plug-In Hybrid Resources
Sources:
RechargeIT.org
Official Google Blog
MetaEfficient
SEMcents.com
Google.org
June 22nd, 2007 at 3:23 am
Good story, love to hear about such initiatives.
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:39 am
Indeed. And with Sergey Brin and Larry Page investing in Tesla Motors, Google is loading up on green PR.
I believe their HQs office furniture is organic fabric and the food is locally grown.