by Paul on October 31, 2006
Jay Leno, besides being a show business celebrity, is widely known for some incredible machines in his "Big Dog Garage." He has high performance cars and motorcycles, beautiful vintage machinery and the financial resources to build or restore most anything that strikes his fancy. His celebrity status can hold the attention of many who might otherwise ignore alternatives and when he builds a biodiesel supercar, people notice.
Whatever your own reason for being interested in biodiesel as an alternative fuel, you will never convince a very large number of drivers to use it by demanding they sacrifice, cut back and do with less.
Whatever your own reason for being interested in biodiesel as an alternative fuel, you will never convince a very large number of drivers to use it by demanding they sacrifice, cut back and do with less. If you try, you're just ignoring human nature. But, show someone a positive alternative, something that gets their interest and makes them smile and they'll want to know more.
Jay's newest car, the EcoJet, is a 650 horsepower turbine supercar that runs on biodiesel. It may not warm the hearts of the committed "conserve and do with less" crowd but for everyone else, it's an eye catcher and thought provoker. Alternative fuel advocates could learn a lot by following his lead and focus their attention on building exciting alternatives to the vehicles we use every day. (Earthrace is another good example of an attention grabber) Once you get someone smiling, he'll listen to what you have to say, scold and preach and he'll turn you off in seconds. This car makes me smile, a lot. I like it.
General Motors press release follows: [click to continue…]
by Paul on October 27, 2006
If you drive a diesel and would like the option of filling up with any of the various forms of non petroleum alternatives, whether biodiesel in concentrations up to B100, WVO (waste vegetable oil) or SVO (straight vegetable oil), you'll need to convert your car or truck. The problem with high blends of biodiesel and especially with WVO and SVO, is gelling at low temperatures. When your car sits out and the temperature drops, you no longer have liquid fuel. On top of that issue is the problem of fuel system clogging as the biofuel starts to dislodge deposits left over from years of using regular diesel.
Lovecraft Biofuels of Los Angeles, California, is one of the companies that has sprung up for the purpose of helping diesel owners (older Mercedes diesels are the most popular) convert their cars for operation on any biodiesel variation. They have a heat exchanger that warms the fuel to help it remain in a liquid state plus filters to catch the crud before it reaches the injectors.
They are also setting up fueling stations in other cities around the country, so far in Seattle, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Los Angeles with plans for more to come.
Not only will they convert your car but they can sell you a complete car already converted if you don't presently have a diesel. Looks like they have a lot of satisfied customers, too.
Also see our biodiesel cars for sale page for completed conversions.
by Paul on October 26, 2006
If you're going to promote biodiesel, why not do it with something sexy? No, not a Hollywood starlet, how about a 78 foot trimaran with twin 540 horsepower Cummins Mercruiser diesels with a maximum speed of 45 knots and a 3000 nautical mile range? Sounds pretty good in my book.
The Earthrace trimaran was designed to promote the use of B100 biodiesel while breaking the record for circumnavigating the globe by powerboat. They are also taking an 18 month round the world tour stopping at 60 ports of call. The boat is currently in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Based in New Zealand the trimaran is a wave piercing design which is necessary when maintaining high speed in all conditions. The result is one of the most striking boats you're likely to see.
If you want to support their effort, stop by their website which also has a complete itinerary of their tour. If you're anywhere near, stop by and check it out.
Link: Earthrace
by Paul on October 25, 2006
Arctic Cat has been working on a diesel powered ATV for some time now and recently began production of the new model. The 686cc twin cylinder diesel engine powering the 4 wheeler is not only approved to use biodiesel of up to a B20 mix but its use is actually promoted by Arctic Cat with a tag on the ATV. The engine has performed very well in all tests and offers great performance.
The 686 cubic-centimeter twin cylinder, single-overhead-cam four-stroke diesel engine provides 30 percent greater fuel mileage and extra low-end torque compared with a conventional gasoline engine. The engine runs efficiently on six forms of diesel fuel, including B20, with a glow-plug pre-heater assist for starting.
The ATV was developed in conjunction with Roush Indiustries.
Link: Biodiesel Magazine
In what could be the beginning of the end for small scale home made biodiesel, this battle could be the start of many similar troubles. Last November we said the period when home biodiesel makers could gather up used cooking oil without any problems would come to a close as prices went up and more people recognized the value of this former waste product.
In Salt Lake County, Utah, large renderers are protesting that home biodiesel makers don't have to follow the EPA regulations they are forced to follow. The large companies that use the grease for animal feed say the home biodiesel makers should have the same licenses and insurance they have and now the Salt Lake Valley Health Department is listening.
This was easy to see coming and though this is the first report we've seen of the battle, it certainly won't be the last.
Link: Salt Lake Tribune
Biodiesel Report: Free Waste Oil for DIY Biodiesel Going Away?
