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. \r\n
\r\nPlug-in hybrids use less gas and consequently can get about 100 miles per gallon. However, it will take years before they become widespread.
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.
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
