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Two companies developing technology for plug-in electric
vehicles have won investment from Google.
Aptera Motors of Carlsbad, California and Austin-based
ActaCell will receive an undisclosed amount of funding
from the internet firm.
The investment is part of Google's RechargeIT
initiative, which was set up in June 2007 to accelerate the
adoption of electronic transport.
Aptera Motors is currently building an ultra-high efficiency
vehicle based on improved aerodynamics and composite materials.
The company's first prototype achieved over 230 miles per
gallon during testing and it is using the design to develop
an all-electric version and a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Meanwhile, ActaCell is working to commercialise lithium-ion
battery technology, originally developed at the University
of Texas at Austin. The firm said that the technology offers
the promise of improved battery life and lower costs, while
maintaining a focus on battery safety.
"We are pleased to announce our first RechargeIT investments
in two promising companies tackling the challenge of vehicle
electrification" - said Karl Sun, an investments principal
at Google.org.
"Both of these innovative companies and their capable teams
are working to develop technology that is crucial to helping
us realise the RechargeIT vision of millions of plug-in
vehicles on the road."
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