Can you imagine what you would do if gas prices went up even higher and the running costs of owning a car forced you off the road? Some people say that the only way to get them to use public transport or walk the 5 minutes to the local shop instead of driving is to price them out of using their cars for inefficient journeys.
Sadly, the likelihood of this happening is becoming more and more likely with increasing tensions around the world leading to ever-increasing oil prices and volatility in the world markets.
Fossil fuels are running out an alarming rate and people are starting to look seriously at other alternatives. More and more people are making their own biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil to run their cars to reduce their dependence on oil.
Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil (including used oil) in a process called transesterification, whereby the glycerine is separated from the oil leaving a clean burning fuel that will efficiently power any diesel engine with vastly reduced exhaust emissions this is good for the environment.
People have been deserting their local gas station in favour of using waste vegetable oil from large-scale users such as pubs, restaurants, or pure oil off the shelf.
Naturally, the government is becoming aware of this use of cheaper, alternative fuel and is targeting this eco-friendly method because people using it are not paying tax, which they would be if they bought gas.
The government talks about reducing climate change but the small number of bio-diesel users are being targeted for tax evasion instead of being encouraged to use this eco friendly fuel. With this in mind what is the incentive for current bio-diesel users and companies to invest in research and development?
For those of you that are thinking of making the making your own biodiesel there are a number of kits available to convert car engines and these cost between £400 and £1,200.
All you need to add is vegetable oil, methanol, a small amount of catalyst, electricity and tap water into this conversion and you’re ready to go! Oh….. and don’t forget to tell the taxman.
