Photos: From gas guzzler to green extreme

Hybrid Suburban

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.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Hybrid Sable

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.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Photos: From gas guzzler to green extreme

Engineering professor turns an SUV and a family sedan into ultra-efficient driving machines.

Hybrid Suburban

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.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler