Internet search engine giant Google offers millions to advance plug-in hybrid vehicles and other technologies that link America's transport system to the electric grid. The company earlier said it is getting in on the development of electric vehicles, awarding $1 million in grants and inviting applicants to bid for another $10 million in funding to develop plug-in hybrid electric vehicles capable of getting 70 to 100 miles per gallon.

The RechargeIT project will be managed by Google.org, the company's philanthropic arm. "Since most Americans drive less than 35 miles per day, you easily could drive mostly on electricity with the gas tank as a safety net," said Dan Reicher, director of Climate and Energy Initiatives for Google.org. "In preliminary results from our test fleet, on average the plug-in hybrid gas mileage was 30-plus mpg higher than that of the regular hybrids."

The project also aims to develop vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, allowing cars to sell their stored power back to the nation's electricity grid during times of peak demand. "Linking the U.S. transportation system to the electricity grid maximizes the efficiency of our energy system," said Reicher. "Our goal is to demonstrate the plug-in hybrid and V2G technology, get people excited about having their own plug-in hybrid, and encourage car companies to start building them soon."

How's the idea of Google meddling in the nation's transportation predicament?