SolarGizmo

Posts Tagged ‘biodiesel’

The world’s first Formula 3 car which is environmentally friendly has been unveiled by the University of Warwick. The car is powered by chocolate, steered by carrots and has its bodywork made from potatoes but still manages to reach a top speed of 125mph around corners. This innovation has arisen because of rising costs and doubts around sponsorship which brings the sport of racing into an uncertain future. The car itself now makes motor racing not only competitive but environmentally friendly, introducing current technologies to show what can be achieved. The car meets all current Formula 3 racing standards except for the biodiesel engine which runs on fuel made from chocolate and vegetable oil, this fuel source is still to be approved by the sport and currently Formula 3 cars cannot run on biodiesel, but hopefully this car will show the sport how this fuel source can be a viable substitute for current racing fuels.

Dr Kerry Kirwan from the research team said:
“Components made from plants form the mainstay of the car’s make up, including a race specification steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat, a woven flax fibre bib, plant oil based lubricants and a biodiesel engine configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil. It also incorporates a radiator coated in a ground-breaking emission destroying catalyst. “

Dr Steve Maggs from the research team said
“As original equipment manufacturers focus on decreasing engine emissions, to meet future CO2, the WorldFirst project proves that if you are going to wholeheartedly embrace the ‘green is great’ ethos you have to broaden your vision and have a strategy that stretches throughout the chain from the raw materials to the final disposal of the car. The project clearly demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package.”

Project Manager, James Meredith, said

“It’s been very exciting working on the project and important for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘Green’ motor racing car. The WorldFirst project expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised when developing the sustainable motor vehicles of the future”