Ford Motor company and Southern California Edison have teamed up in an effort to develop and evaluate plug-in hybrid vehicles. In order to safely and effectively integrate plug-in hybrids with the southern California power grid, the two companies are testing for hybrid durability, range, and impacts on the grid. Ford expects to release their first plug-in hybrid for testing by the end of this year, and perhaps as many as 20 vehicles by 2009. Southern California Edison  will be responsible for placing the vehicles with owners in the area and collecting the necessary data.

Google, the world's most popular online search engine, doesn't seem like the kind of company that would be interested in automotive development. But then again, Google has a history of surprising us with interesting - if not revolutionary - pet projects.

The RechargeIT initiative may be one such project. It is part of Google.org - Google's self proclaimed "philanthropic arm." The overall goal of the RechargeIT initiative is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases associated with global warming (mainly CO2), promote renewable energy sources, reduce reliance on foreign oil, and push forward the adoption of plug-in hybrids ("plug-ins") and vehicle-to-grid ("V2G") technologies.

The first E85 Escape Hybrids have hit the nation's streets as Ford delivered three vehicles to the Department of Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Governor's Ethanol Coalition (GEC). A total of 20 E85 Escape Hybrids will be delivered to select fleet customers in six states.

E85 Escape Hybrids combine hybrid and flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) technology. An electric motor powers the vehicle at low speeds and a gasoline internal combustion capable of running on fuel blends up to 85 percent ethanol kicks in a higher speeds.

It seems that GM really is serious about producing their plug-in gas-electric hybrid concept car, the Chevrolet Volt. To move development along, GM today awarded two separate contracts, one Compact Power and one to Continental Automotive, to design and test new lithium-ion batteries that may power the car.

"Given the huge potential that the Volt and its E-flex system offers to lower oil consumption, lower oil imports and reduce carbon gas emissions, this is for sure a top priority program for GM," said Wagoner, who added that the company is trying to produce the Volt as soon as it can.