Electric car companies get $20 million grant - Jan. 5, 1999 Energy Secretary Bill Richardson announced Tuesday that two companies have been given $20 million in grants to develop electric-power systems that can be used in electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson announced Tuesday that two companies have been given $20 million in grants to develop electric-power systems that can be used in electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. in Public bookmarkswith announcedbillenergygivenmillionrichardsonsecretarytuesday