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 developing 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."