May 2007 Issue

The Manhattan College Veggie Car Project started as an independent study course for Graham Sharkey and I in the spring of 2006. The goal of the course was to modify the engine on an existing vehicle to allow it to run on an alternative fuel: particularly, vegetable oil. To start, Graham and I raised nearly $7,000 to purchase the car and equipment necessary for the conversion. Only a diesel powered car would accept such a conversion. Over the past 18 months, the Veggie Car project has evolved from a conceptual idea to a fully functional 1974 Mercedes-Benz 240D that runs on used vegetable oil. The car has been taken all over the tri-state area to promote environmental issues and the environmental engineering profession. Although the car does not represent necessarily new or groundbreaking technology, I have been able to use the car as a tool to increase awareness about growing environmental concerns and the use of alternative fuels.