Google Taking on Hybrids

As if the auto industry weren’t competitive enough: Google’s founders have launched a $1 billion philanthropy campaign to tackle world hunger, disease and global warming. And the web gurus are starting the healing with a hybrid car.

Google.org — that’s the group’s name and the website — wants to be profitable while it saves the planet, and its first goal is to build an electric-ethanol-gasoline hybrid vehicle that can get 100 mpg. The group is already looking into buying a small fleet of cars to put experimental powerplants into, and has consulted with engineers experienced in hybrid technology.   

We’ll file this one under “We’ll believe it when we see it,” but still applaud the thought.

[Philanthropy Google’s Way: Not the Usual, New York Times]

Comments

[Lil'Tom]

Aren't the Google guys major investors in Tesla Motors? I would think they should all be working together on this. Maybe that's the plan. Swapping half the batteries in a Tesla roadster for a diesel generator and small gas tank, then adding a hard top could make the car get unprecedented mileage; but it may not be legal, or desirable. Honda, with tremendous capital, got around 65 mpg from the Insight and It was only in (extremely limited) production for about five years. A car that could get 100 mpg and comply with U.S laws using current technology would be so unappealing to the general public that I don't see how it could possible make any money. Especially without a major distribution network.

[John Acheson]

Under the assumption that the problem is energy and transportation's contribution to global warming, Google is the perfect vehicle to search for solutions.

It's definately up to the Google generation to save the planet! Don't Drive Evil, where do I sign up?