Biofuel Options

Mark Englander, of Charlotte Energy Solutions, drives a car fueled only with waste vegetable oil (WVO). “There are 35 to 40 others in our area who use it. They locate and collect their own waste oil from restaurants.”

Using WVO in your diesel vehicle requires a modification to your engine. The conversion kit costs $600 and up, Englander says, but it will pay for itself in around 4 months of driving without traditional fuel. The Veggie Oil Mercedes at left, offered on eBay, is ready to go. For information about trying WVO in your diesel car or truck, contact Englander or check out Charlotte’s co-op, Metrolina Biofuels.

Biodiesel, the other alternative diesel fuel, can be used without car modification. It is produced by chemically treating WVO, fat or other vegetable oil. You can purchase biodiesel at Metrolina’s pump.

Want to learn more about biofuels? Metrolina Biofuels partners with Central Piedmont Community College for workshops and classes. Such classes may eventually be part of a technical degree program. This quarter CPCC offers a technical course called Environmental Biodiesel at their main campus. The class will meet once a week from May 14 to July 16. Registration continues until the first day of class. For information and registration call 704-330-4223, or contact Program Chair Terrence Fagan, 704-330-6204.