Meanwhile, Google invested in the power of pig poop and researchers rolled out a new inexpensive, powerful, and lightweight jelly battery that could one day power laptops and electric vehicles.

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Over the next several years GE plans to convert half its vehicle fleet to battery power, including 15, 000 Chevy Volts and perhaps 15, 000 electric vehicles from other makers.

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And there are technologies out there that could eliminate all these deaths, particularly, battery electric vehicles where the electricity is provided by renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

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If it proves to be as promising as some people suspect, the new battery design developed by MIT researchers may create compelling synergies between electric vehicles and the electric power grid.

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In the medium term, solar power combined with improved battery storage systems will make a difference, as will military vehicles with hybrid electric engines.

FORBES: Logistics