GE tapped to help design electric car.(Business)

Byline: LARRY RULISON - Business writer

NISKAYUNA - General Electric Co. has been awarded part of a $30 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy to help the auto industry develop a cost-effective and reliable plug-in hybrid electric car.

GE Global Research in Niskayuna will work with Chrysler on the project. The two companies together will be given up to $10 million over three years, and each will also contribute an equal amount of money to the project.

GE will work with the carmaker on developing a dual battery storage system capable of powering a vehicle for 40 miles without recharging. The Department of Energy wants such cars to be …