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Fast food still fueling local man's cars
By KATHY FERGUSON
Article published on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/051006_fpg-03.jpg) |
| Photo by JIM HARRINGTON |
| John Evans stands in his yard with the two cars that are propelled by used vegetable oil. The PInellas County resident asked to have his name changed to protect his privacy. |
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PINELLAS COUNTY – One local man isn't feeling the pinch in his wallet from the climbing crude oil and gasoline prices. His two Mercedes diesel cars run just fine on cast-off vegetable oil.
“They both run well,” he said.
So, as long as local eateries continue to sizzle French fries and hush puppies, the retired truck driver will have smooth sailing along the byways and highways.
John Evans is not his real name. He requested to change it for this story because publicity about the first grease car drew so much attention from the public he could hardly handle it.
“Everyone wanted information on how to do it,” he said.
Just recently, Evans got back his first grease car, a 1983 Mercedes 300TD Wagon. Many fond memories are recalled as this car ran more than 13,000 miles on cooking oil to join with others rallying in Daytona and Cocoa Beach. His other car is a 1987 Mercedes 190D.
About 14 gallons of vegetable oil is needed to fill the 1987 Mercedes with 22 gallons topping off the 1983 car’s tank.
“I don’t even mix any diesel into them,” Evans said.
The good news is that he found a new restaurant owner to give him free, used vegetable oil.
“The owner fries food for like 73 festivals each year,” he said.
The oil is only used one day and discarded.
“It’s as clean as lemonade,” Evans said.
Learning a lot about different types of vegetable oil is important to grease car owners. According to www.greasecar.com, restaurants that use pure canola or soy oil that has a lower gel point will be easier to collect and filter. Sources that rinse their fryers with water should be avoided. The oil is poured into a converted tank where it is heated, sending the car on its way.
Evans loves to attend area festivals, such as Earth Day celebrations, and educate citizens about the value of veggie cars.
“I like to show off the car and think it’s important for people to know they have choices,” he said.
Grease cars only need routine filter maintenance with a less than $10 filter replacement, cites the Web site. How often the filter needs replacement depends on how clean the oil was before it was added into the tank.
Evans has noticed the spiraling gas prices aren’t bringing out the best in people either.
“They are stealing gas from each other’s cars,” he said. “And, I’ll bet the sales of locking gas caps are going crazy.”
Evans is taking another turn along the alternative energy route. He wants to outfit his recently bought Harley motorcycle to run on propane.
“The prices of gas are really high,” he said.
Evans said, the cost of diesel is $2.85 and climbing.
“It’s just crazy, don’t you think?,” he said.
Most common diesel passenger vehicles can be changed over to veggie cars, Evans said.
“I’m helping to save the world one tank at a time,” he said.
For more information, visit www.greasecar.com.
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Article published on Wednesday, May 10, 2006
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