Jatropha powered Le Mans

D1 Oils, previously mentioned as a top supplier of Jatropha curcas tree based biodiesels, is set to enter a car in the 2006 Le Mans 24 hours. The top speed from the modified Volkswagen engine is 200mph, compared to 215mph for petrol engines, but the team are counting on the greater efficiency meaning fewer fuelling stops.

D1 chief executive Philip Wood said apart from winning the coveted Le Mans gold trophy, the team's other objective is to test the performance, fuel efficiency and emissions produced by different biodiesel blends during the trials.

"This is about demonstrating that low emissions don't mean low performance," he said.

"It is going to be of immense value to motorists who want to know that biodiesel will get them the mileage and performance they need while contributing less to global warming."

via Foursprung and Jalopnik

Technorati tag: biodiesel, Jatropha, Le Mans