Cars Could Be Powered by Tequila Plant

Internal combustion engines could be fueled by tequila, or at least that’s what researchers from Queensland University think, according to an AAP report via drive.com.au.

Central Queensland University Professor Nanjappa Ashwath says that Agave tequilana, besides having the potential to create ethanol, is also one of the most water efficient plant in the world.

Considering the climate was suitable and plenty of land available, Prof Ashwath agreed to help tequila researchers of Energy Enterprises Australia, in trying to establish field trials.

This way, the plant's potential will serve as an alternative raw material for ethanol production units near by sugar mills. The agave is raised by farmers near Childers.

"Most importantly, in Queensland the sugar mills run six months of the year," Prof Ashwath said. "The remaining six months they sit idle, doing nothing. If we can grow the agave and supply that to the sugar mills then we can maximize the use of the existing infrastructure at the same time as we produce alternative products," he added.

Simon Watson, from Energy Enterprises Australia, said their research indicate that agave could yield 16,000 liters of ethanol per hectare annually.

"We believe Agave shows real promise here in Australia as both a second generation biofuel, and an opportunity for Australian farmers in the face of global climate change," Mr Watson said.

This new approach in the alternative fuel industry comes right after the WorldFirst project, the first racing car powered by chocolate fuel. The team behind the project used plant-oil based lubricants and a biodiesel engine able to run on chocolate and vegetable oil.

Going back to the tequila project, Prof Ashwath said it would take about three years to prove the concept, but he was confident of its future, depending on fuel price movements.

We can also add that one of the possible stones in the project’s path could be the elevated number of tequila lovers, which might team up with fuel price movements …