The First Algae Fueled Car Travels from San Francisco to Washington, DC

September 11th, 2009 by Beth Graddon-Hodgson

The Veggie Van Organization unveiled the first algae fuel powered car this week in San Francisco. It’s actually a plug-in Prius that has been converted with the nickel-metal hydride battery. The green vehicle doesn’t run strictly on algae, but rather a 5% algae/95% gasoline blend. Since this vehicle uses a standard engine without any modifications, it demonstrates the opportunity to use alternative fuel sources like algae in a vehicle, and only 5% algae might be used today, but it gives some hope for the future.

The algae-based fuel is is produced by Sapphire Energy, one of the leading providers of alternate fuel sources. They’re currently working to produce two million gallons of algae fuel per year for the next two years, so that they can release the green alternative as a competitor against traditional fuel at $60 to $80 a barrel.

The algae fuel powered car is currently making its journey from San Francisco to to Washington, DC. A trip that’s expected to take 10 days and use only 25 gallons of fuel. It’s part of an initiative to promote the alternative fuel source as well as to raise awareness about the new film FUEL which talks about the American reliance upon foreign oil and provides solutions.

Via: Inhabitat

Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: algae powered vehicle, alternative fuel, green fuel sources, hybrid vehicle, toyota prius

About the Author

Beth Graddon-Hodgson

Justinbieber22

This is so cool!! (:
Miha

It’s not first algae car. It’s the first car running on mix of 5% algae/95% gasoline fuel blend. Great it’s a progress, but I agree with first post.
Miha

It’s not first algae car. It’s the first car running on mix of 5% algae/95% gasoline fuel blend. Great it’s a progress, but I agree with first post.
Eric Rae

Is this not giving more credibility than it deserves, 5% of just about anything will still allow the car to run, but is not necessarily seen as being successful.
Eric Rae

Is this not giving more credibility than it deserves, 5% of just about anything will still allow the car to run, but is not necessarily seen as being successful.
http://www.gablepr.com Tom Gable

Seems to be incredible hype for 5 percent algae biofuel. The car could probably succeed on 5 percent Mazola oil or recycled cooking oil from the McDonald’s deep friers along the way. Does this really prove anything scientifically? It’s just a promotion for the movie and the media are going along for the ride.
http://www.gablepr.com Tom Gable

Seems to be incredible hype for 5 percent algae biofuel. The car could probably succeed on 5 percent Mazola oil or recycled cooking oil from the McDonald’s deep friers along the way. Does this really prove anything scientifically? It’s just a promotion for the movie and the media are going along for the ride.
http://www.writesourcing.com Beth Graddon-Hodgson

At this stage yes, the company is making steps towards creating an alternative green fuel source that can be used without alteration. It might not be 100% green, but it is making steps in the right direction…however, I would agree since if you just saw the vehicle passing on the street and weren’t reading about it here you might make different assumptions about how the vehicle is powered.
http://www.writesourcing.com Beth Graddon-Hodgson

At this stage yes, the company is making steps towards creating an alternative green fuel source that can be used without alteration. It might not be 100% green, but it is making steps in the right direction…however, I would agree since if you just saw the vehicle passing on the street and weren’t reading about it here you might make different assumptions about how the vehicle is powered.
http://islandinthenet.com Khürt Williams

So the labeling on the side of the car is false. Can Toyota claim that the Prius is an electric powered vehicle because some of it’s power comes from a battery? Can I slap a green label on the side of my home because I recycle 5% of my garbage?
http://islandinthenet.com Khürt Williams

So the labeling on the side of the car is false. Can Toyota claim that the Prius is an electric powered vehicle because some of it’s power comes from a battery? Can I slap a green label on the side of my home because I recycle 5% of my garbage?