Google offers $10m to green transport

As the world-famous journalist Borat once wisely said: “It’s nice.”

And so is this.

Google.org is offering $10 million for investment proposals to help bring greener cars to market.

Those search dudes say:

Since Google.org launched the RechargeIT initiative in June as part of our efforts to stop global warming, a lot has happened in the world of plug-in vehicles. Automakers have made key announcements about future plans for plug-ins. Our grantee the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), along with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), released a comprehensive assessment that found that widespread use of plug-in hybrids in the U.S. could dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The charge for electrified transportation is heating up, and we couldn’t be more excited. But consumers still can’t buy plug-in vehicles – and that’s a problem. It’s time for us to put some money where our mouth is and help accelerate mass commercialization of plug-in vehicles.

Today, Google.org has issued a request for proposals to the tune of $10 million in order to advance sustainable transportation solutions. We are inviting entrepreneurs and companies to show us their best ideas on how they can contribute to this important cause. We need catalytic investments to support technologies, products and services that are critical to accelerating plug-in vehicle commercialization.