Now Google.org is connected with the Google, the search engines-turned-internet-empires. They’re involved with (among many other things) solving the climate challenge that will supposedly lead to global warming and tremendous nasties for everything here on planet Earth, and pushing plug-in cars and vehicle-to-grid technologies is one way they’re doing it … at RechargeIT.org Google has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to companies for research, development, and public awareness campaigns involving PHEVs and V2G.

Google is also working with Hymotion to convert their corporate fleet of hybrid cars into plug-ins. They’ve fitted their cars with stat tracking devices, as well as traditional hybrids, and are reporting the real-world use outcomes here. As of this writing, the PHEV avg. mpg is 66.2 while the Prius hybrid is 44.6. Emissions results are .411 lbs/mile for the PHEV, .530 for the Prius hybrid. Interesting tool to keep your eye on.

Hymotion PHEV Battery Range Extender Modules (called BREMs) are only available to businesses right now, for converting fleets of hybrids into plug-ins. However, the company says a commercial version will be released early this year … the clock’s ticking, laddies. Unfortunately for some of you, these will only be available for Priuses to begin with. Along with their availability, we’ll see a price list, a list of certified installers, and other pertinent information. I saw an estimated cost of $9,500.00 for the kit itself, with an estimated 2 hours of labor involved, but obviously that could be much lower than what’s released this spring.

OPES! This post at Priuschat Forums claims commercial BREMS will be ready in March 2008 for $9,995.00. Gotta love that PriusChat.

While you’re keeping track of the benefits their plug-ins get over their regular Prius hybrids, you can stop by their resources and partners pages or check out their nifty “look how better we’re doing than you are” mpg calculator. Jealous? Oh Ye– I mean … Me? Never.

* thanks to Google for the photo

Post from: EveryJoe

RechargeIT.org: A Google.org Project