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Rather than converting heat energy into mechanical energy in an internal combustion engine and then converting mechanical energy into electrical energy in a magnetic field, thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generators work by directly converting heat energy in the form of infrared radiation into electricity using photovoltaic cells. A series hybrid vehicle uses this electrical energy to keep the batteries at a constant state of charge. These batteries then provide the energy for the electric motor, which propels the vehicle down the road.

Viking 29 is being built under a U.S. Department of Energy contract by the Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) at Western Washington University and JX Crystals of Issaquah, WA to demonstrate a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generator. The 10 kW TPV generator being developed for use in a vehicle makes use of gallium antimonide (GaSb) photovoltaic (PV) cells surrounding a central emitter heated by a compressed natural gas flame to 1700 Kelvin. The infrared photons generated activate the PV cells to produce electricity which maintains a charge in the battery. Preliminary emission testing has shown that this generator is 50 times cleaner than an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE).