Seems we could break the stranglehold of OPEC and big oil on the motoring public in short order. No fuel cells or hybrids or electric cars needed. Just buy diesel cars and run them on vegetable oil. I know a guy here in Mass who has one. Here is today's story on the subject.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Saving...car/P115218.asp

So pull up a chair, break out your geo-political-enviro-economic ideologies and chime in. Would you buy one if the infrastructure existed? If not now, when?

 

Yes, I would own one if the requisite infrastructure were there.
The advantages of diesel have been long known but the industry has been slow to make the improvements needed to make them acceptable to the average consumer.

That being said there are problems with bio-diesel just as there will be with any fuel source for motor vehicles.

Now, if they could just get one fueled on either B.S. or K-Y Jelly we would be in business.

 

One of my friend's sons has been driving biodiesel for a few years now. He converts cars to run on biodiesel for approximately $800.00.

He gets his used vegetable oil from the local Chinese restaurant. They save it for him and give it to him for free.

The only problem he has reported so far (after a few years and quite a few thousand miles) is that the exhaust smells like french fries.

 

 

I wouldn't buy one. Sorry, but even biodiesels pollute a lot more than gasoline engines.

What would make me change my mind? If they refined the vegetable oil into biogasoline, I'd definitely use it.

 

That article sounds very interesting. If indeed this is true and feasible, I would buy a diesel. A lot of people in Europe own diesel cars as they don't pay much attention to exhaust pollution. But if the majority of the world doesn't care about exhaust fume, maybe we shouldn't either. Bring in the vegetable oil! We've got enough McDonald's that can serve as fuel stations throughout the country. While you munch on a Quarterpounder, you can fill up at the same time. What a concept! We would be less dependent on foreign oil

 

Yes -- old news, all going no where until the hearts and heads of the United States start focusing on getting it done. Why is it that I drive a car with a lifetime fuel average of 65 MPG -- that has 70,000 miles on it with the original brakes -- that has never borken down -- that I bought in 2001 -- that so many people look like like they have never seen or heard of one before and are flabbergasted that it gets 65 MPG on the average ?? (Best mileage achieved was 83 MPG -- 830 miles on ten gallons of gasoline). This car is my daily driver.

Also -- the manufacturer of one of my other cars (The Baron) invented, patented, and drove to Washington D.C. a car powered by an engine that ran on ethanol alcohol . That was in 1973 and has gone no where since:

http://www.prinzingmc.com/max.html

You may recall the thread on this board a couple of months ago wherein I mentioned the company that can make oil from literally almost anything. That company is floundering, and is not getting any government assistance or support.

I am starting to conclude that anyone who gives lip service to the new technologies and does not get involved in them by purchasing and supporting them is full of s--t.

 

I think there is a never ending supply in DC. As we are lied to or have it stuck to us

 

It sounds so simple and inexpensive, however, everyone is wanting to make a buck! Remember the days where diesel was cheaper than gas. I remember in the '70's when my dad bought a VW diesel Rabbit. Gas was cheap and it got great gas mileage. Now, there are more diesel engines and someone is making more money with diesel prices. If it were so simple to have a car run on vegetable oil, why doesn't someone put out the specific directions for any mods on the internet? Because no one wants to give their ideas away without making some money. Yes it's America and people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, but I am sick and tired of the oil companies, or whoever you want to blame for these outrageous gas prices! Remember the carburetor that allowed a car to get 100 miles to the gallon?
Didn't mean to get on my soapbox but I'm mad as hell and there's nothing I can do about.

 

I remember reading about a year ago an article about a honda diesel hybrid that was rated at 300 horse power and got 48 MPG. If I could buy something like that now, I would. I don't understand why The Toyota hybrid is getting all the hype, when the Accord hybrid is a design that is far better for those of us who want to drive a "real" car.