Made-from-trash vehicles that run on unconventional fuels
Original Source: http://www.greendiary.com
Original Publication Date: June 2010
Since the oil reserves will never sprout at will or the existing sources remain here forever, it is but mandatory that we start looking for some most unconventional vehicles that could run on uncommon fuels. Before all could realize or do it, eco-DIYers took the lead as they shaped some unusual vehicles from junk that can carry on with alternative fuels. While some are draped in trash, others run on it. Here we’ve listed some of these modded vehicles that are the reflections of our wish to pursue the unusual in the quest for creating a healthy planet:
• Honda Accord retrofitted to run on trash:
An incredible DIY project at Instructables utilizes gasification to make a homemade engine run on wood, food scraps and leaves. The gasification of waste biomass uses simple gasifiers as are used in a traditional wood stove.
• DIY Ariel Atom made from junk:
It’s difficult to believe that a modded vehicle could actually do 4.5 seconds 0 to 60MPH and 35+ miles on one gallon of fuel. The car was built from the remains of an Acura k20a3 engine that came from an RSX. The car flaunts stainless panels that came from old appliances. Everything from black body panels, throttle panel and engine came from ancient kayak, old doghouse, salvaged parts of some dumpster and a crashed car. More here.
• Electric motorbike completely made from found junk:
A Omaha-based DIYer not only built his electric bike, he also built a charging station that contains a solar and a small windmill as well. The wind generator charges the bike at 250 watts per hour. Even the bike seat is made from an old office chair. More here.
• 100 MPG Lotus Seven replica runs on biodiesel:
The DIY green super-efficient car
MAX is a 100 MPG Lotus Seven replica that runs on biodiesel. The car features a turbo-charged 100cc Kubota engine, rated at 32 horsepower. More here.
• Wood-powered pickup truck:
Robert “Chip” Beam built a wood-gas burning truck that touts a top speed of about 45 miles per hour (72 km/hour). Hailed as the most unusual car, the wood-powered pickup gets 20 miles per 25 pounds of wood chips. More here.
• Greasecar vegetable fuel system:
Founded in 2000 by Justin Carven, Greasecar sells vegetable oil conversion kits for diesel automobiles and trucks. Aspiring DIYers with some basic mechanical aptitude can install the conversion kits on their own over the course of a weekend. The cost of a Greasecar kit for a car is about $1,000 and Greasecar truck kits start around $1500 and go up from there depending on the make and model. More here.
• DIY roadster gets 70 miles to the gallon using vegetable oil:
Jack McCornack and Sharon Westcott created a yellow roadster that runs on vegetable oil. The car can do 60 or 70 mph. More here.
