According to the New York Times, Google (motto: "Keeping Math Geeks Out of Academia Since 1998") is using a portion of its epic pile of Googlebux to develop a plug-in hybrid car powerplant for passenger cars. The project is part of a wide-reaching philanthropic effort, Google.org, which has been capitalized to the tune of $1 billion and chartered with alleviating poverty, disease and global warming. The gas-electric powerplant will have a target mileage rating of 100 mpg, run on ethanol, electricity and gasoline, and probably even send an SMS when the "check engine light" goes on. [Thanks to Greg for the tip.]

Philanthropy Google's Way: Not the Usual [The New York Times]

Related:
GM Planning a Plug-in Hybrid? [internal]