What it costs
Beggs says his basic conversion kit, which costs $1,000, is all most drivers need. For certain types of newer automobiles, however, Beggs says it may cost more as they have "more complex systems so will need more complex monitoring."
Modifications are also required for cars in colder climates where it's harder to keep the oil thin enough. Cox says his '79 Mercedes runs well in Orillia's temperatures until the mercury dips below -30 C. In addition to purchasing the equipment, you should also consider the cost of installation. Beggs says "it's not rocket science" and takes from two to four days of work. Cox's average cost is $800 to $1,200. Beggs says a PlantDrive installation will vary greatly depending on the type of car and equipment, but it averages about $1,500. PlantDrive itself provides lots of help through its kit instructions, website and contact with Beggs or people like Cox who sell and install the kits. "If you are a competent backyard mechanic and understand your car's electrical and heating and cooling systems, and have the right tools, you can do it yourself," Cox says. As for potential damage to your vehicle, the main thing to watch out for is poor-quality oil. To help you overcome this, PlantDrive's website has an extensive section on oil considerations. Helping the planet
In addition to fuel savings, there's another kind of savings that motivates people to consider veggie-oil fuel: saving the environment.
"It can be a three-way win," says Norman Rubin, policy analyst with
Energy Probe. "It has the potential to be good for the restaurant owner who would have to pay to have the used oil removed, good for the driver who saves money and good for the environment by not burning fossil fuels or burying the used oil in landfills."
Since veggie oil operates outside of the mainstream regulatory systems, there's not a lot of data on its environmental impact. But it's self-evident, say the experts, that there are far fewer hazards when compared to other methods. PlantDrive has participated in a joint emissions study on a 2002 Volkswagen Golf TDI modified by PlantDrive at Colorado State University's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified lab. "This system was able to produce emissions levels well below the acceptable EPA standards for this vehicle on both ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and straight Canola oil," states the study findings. Newly returned from an international conference on plant oils, Beggs says it was "astonishing" to see how widespread use is in Germany where more than 100,000 vehicles run on veggie fuel and where there are veggie fuel outlets to rival traditional gas stations. "We are babes in the woods in terms of where we need to be going in the next 10 to 15 years," says Beggs. And while he says veggie oil isn't the only answer in creating more environmentally friendly cars, it's a good start. |