Google Me a Plug-in

It's the word synonymous with figure-it-out ... with jump-startin' answers to your 101 questions ... and finding those answers with clarity and speed in this internet era. And now it's the company providing a big boost--with much-needed funds for cleaner car technology. With an initial seed grant of 1 million dollars, and a promise of another 10 million dollars to come, Google is providing power to get plug-in electric cars hittin' the roads even faster. The project, known as RechargeIT is being distributed through Google.org, the company's philanthropic subsidiary.

Because plug-in electric hybrids (PHEV) have the ability to travel upwards of 40 miles on one charge before needing to start their backup engine, they are capable of returning fuel mileage of 70 to 100 MPG. And as well as bolstering PHEV progress, Google hopes to develop the promising but fledgling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) process that would allow PHEV owners to sell their cars' excess electricity back to the power grid.

We applaud Google's vision and their commitment to the ultimate clean alternative fuel--electricity. And in the meantime, check out the current stock of hybrids and alt fuel vehicles that will make the most of your fuel budget.