The First Algae Fueled Car Travels from San Francisco to Washington, DC

September 11th, 2009 by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

The Veggie Van Organization unveiled the first algae fuel powered car this week in San Francisco. It’s actually a plug-in Prius that has been converted with the nickel-metal hydride battery. The green vehicle doesn’t run strictly on algae, but rather a 5% algae/95% gasoline blend. Since this vehicle uses a standard engine without any modifications, it demonstrates the opportunity to use alternative fuel sources like algae in a vehicle, and only 5% algae might be used today, but it gives some hope for the future.

The algae-based fuel is is produced by Sapphire Energy, one of the leading providers of alternate fuel sources. They’re currently working to produce two million gallons of algae fuel per year for the next two years, so that they can release the green alternative as a competitor against traditional fuel at $60 to $80 a barrel.

The algae fuel powered car is currently making its journey from San Francisco to to Washington, DC. A trip that’s expected to take 10 days and use only 25 gallons of fuel. It’s part of an initiative to promote the alternative fuel source as well as to raise awareness about the new film FUEL which talks about the American reliance upon foreign oil and provides solutions.

Via: Inhabitat









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