Cellulosic ethanol fuel of the future for pickup trucks?
Tuesday 01 February 2011 | By Evolution InternetBack to Newsroom
Pickup truck leasing customers could be using cellulosic ethanol to fuel their vehicles in the future following a demonstration of its potential.
Tom Holm, of research organisation EcoTrek, has been using the eco-friendly alternative fuel to power a trip across the US in an adapted Ford Super Duty pickup truck fitted with lots of extra fuel tanks.
This allows him to travel 2,500 miles between fill-ups.
Traditional ethanol has been abandoned as a viable biofuel by some as it is made from crops that would otherwise be used for food.
However, cellulosic ethanol uses enzymes to break down husks and corn waste material that would otherwise be buried or burned. This creates cellulose, which can then be fermented into usable fuel.
"I've had this dream of driving across the country using ethanol, and now I'm finally able to do it," Mr Holm told Gas 2.0.
According to research by the US Department of Energy, cellulosic ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 85 per cent compared to regular fuel.
