Innovation

Photos: From gas guzzler to green extreme

By // July 18, 2006, 8:41 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • What makes this Chevy Suburban different from most? It runs on a hybrid engine that gets its electricity from plugging into a wall outlet. Professor Andrew Frank built it at the University of California at Davis and has tested it on GM's off-road tracks.

    Plug-in hybrids use less gas and consequently can get about 100 miles per gallon. However, it will take years before they become widespread.

    Andrew Frank/University of California, Davis

  • A Mercury Sable retrofitted with one of Frank's hybrid systems. The car can also run on ethanol and solar-generated electricity, freeing it up from fossil fuels entirely. The stickers are optional.

    Andrew Frank/University of California, Davis

What makes this Chevy Suburban different from most? It runs on a hybrid engine that gets its electricity from plugging into a wall outlet. Professor Andrew Frank built it at the University of California at Davis and has tested it on GM's off-road tracks.

Plug-in hybrids use less gas and consequently can get about 100 miles per gallon. However, it will take years before they become widespread.

Andrew Frank/University of California, Davis

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...