RechargeIT Driving Experiment

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We've had our RechargeIT plug-ins on the road for about a year now, collecting data when driven by Google employees in our free car-share program. But we wanted to see how they would perform in a controlled test. The results of our seven-week driving experiment are in – and the plug-ins did great, getting as much as 93 MPG average across all trips, and 115 MPG for city trips! See the full results to explore detailed data from the experiment. (And check back often as we'll be posting even more comprehensive data from our test over the next few weeks.)


Electricity usage for plug-in vehicles: Ford Escape Plug-In 133.2 Wh/mi, Toyota Prius Plug-in 139.6 Wh/mi


RechargeIT is a Google.org initiative that aims to reduce CO2 emissions, cut oil use and stabilize the electrical grid by accelerating the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology.

By demonstrating the technology using our own fleet and supporting others through grants and investments, together we will drive toward a plug-in revolution. See for yourself how our plug-in hybrids are performing in real world conditions.

Check out this video on RechargeIT and plug-ins.

Vehicle Calculator

Compare your vehicle with our fleet using our calculator, or if you have a plug-in hybrid, email us and we will add it to our map of plug-ins across the nation.

Our Immediate Goals

Recharge a Car: Google.org is working with A123 Systems and Hymotion to convert our growing fleet of hybrid cars into plug-in hybrids and to collect performance data to demonstrate their efficiency.

Recharge the Grid: We are demonstrating vehicle-to-grid technology and funding research to make this smart energy idea a reality.

Recharge the Planet: By adopting cleaner sources of energy, such as Google's 1.6 MW solar installation that charges our own fleet, we will help mitigate global warming by reducing the use of fossil fuels.


Official Google.org RechargeIT Blog

Visit the RechargeIT Blog for more news and updates.

Plug-in Vehicle Locator

Data includes vehicles reported to CalCars.org - 104 cars and growing!

Plug-In Vehicle Videos



Highlights from the RechargeIT call for videos

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