WillieRun - from New York to Cali on one* tank of gas
Thanks to diesel's high-mpg factor and some of Europe's small countries, it's not impossible to hit six nations on one tank of fuel. Here in the U.S., though, the distances are a bit longer, and we can't quite make it to as many lands without refueling. Some see the distance as a challenge to be conquered, like Nik Bristow and his driving buddy, who intend to take a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI from NYC to Los Angeles on one* tank of gas. The trip will take place about a month from now and is named after Mr. Biodiesel himself, Willie Nelson.
Willie Run will set off from Manhattan on September 22 with the intent to arrive in LA on the the 24th. The whole "one tank" thing, though, needs to be explained, since there's no Jetta available that's going to drive the whole 3,000 miles without a refil. The guys installed a "second, high-capacity fuel tank" into Willie One to provide the needed fuel. Bristow sent and email to AutoblogGreen to explain the reason why:
Why do it? Well, outside the circles of car junkies and hippie-types, biodiesel is still relatively unknown, at least in America. The average Joe who's feeling the squeeze at the pump thinks that his only option for an environmentally responsible fuel-sipper is a hybrid. But as we car-lovers know, diesels are comparatively much more efficient than their gasoline counterparts, sometimes even more than their hybrid colleagues, and can still deliver great performance. When you add biodiesel to the equation, a diesel-powered vehicle is one of the best options for the environment, the wallet and for our domestic energy security. Willie Run '08 aims to make that a well-known fact.
Get more details at the Willie Run site and stay tuned for updates. Bristow said he hopes that the Willie Run will become an annual event, with a whole fleet of "coast-to-coast cruisers from University Engineering Schools, major auto manufacturers, backyard tinkerers and maybe even TEAM AUTOBLOGGREEN." We'll see.
[Source: Willie Run / Nik Bristow]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brn 3:25PM (8/20/2008)
This more than dumb. They're installing a second, "high capacity" tank. Whoopie! You could do the same with a Hummer H1 and get across the country without refueling.
Reply
Phil L. 3:36PM (8/20/2008)
Actually, biodiesel is pretty well known in the US - considering there are precious few vehicles that can use it.
Sure, there are vintage Mercedes and VW diesels on the road (and don't forget an occasional but rare diesel Escort or Chevette sighting). Plus big trucks. And you can finally wait in line for a current, 50-state-legal VW diesel, if your budget doesn't make it to the Mercedes dealership. But there simply aren't enough diesel vehicle choices out there yet to turn biodiesel into a big, nationwide movement.
Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for an affordable, family-friendly, diesel minivan (I've got three kids, all still in seats). Looks like Honda might get there first (well - except maybe for the "affordable" part), but we'll see.
Reply
Hans Wurst 4:14PM (8/20/2008)
Why don't we all drive back and forth between the coasts for the environment, the wallet and our domestic energy security?
Sounds like an awesome plan to me 8oP
Reply
gulags 4:57PM (8/20/2008)
You'd think Willie would be doing this with hemp-based cellulostic ethanol or biodiesel or something.
Reply
BoneHeadOtto 5:05PM (8/20/2008)
what do you think fuels the driver??
Actually this is a good idea considering how few people know anything about bio-diesel. They need a sign on the side of the car that says
Bio-diesel does not = Ethanol.
That fact is lost on most people. But it is kind of odd to travel in a car as a way to promote the environment. But kudos to them for elevating peoples awareness.... and his bio-willie business.
stevefazek 6:17PM (8/20/2008)
Its like something GMs marketing group would come up with. Alright guys are cars get shitty MPG i know instead of bragging about MPG lets say MORE MILES PER TANK!!!!!!
Reply
Marcella Wright 4:03PM (9/24/2008)
Willie is targeting the trucking industry, which is the major user of diesel fuel now. The price of diesel is what is driving the prices up on food and other basics, so we need to tackle this problem.
Diesel trucks, unless they're really old, are very easy to convert to biodiesel. All you have to do is scour out all the old deposits in the fuel system, left from regular diesel, which involves use of a solvent, and a change of fuel filter, to prevent clogs from dissolving deposits. Then you can switch back and forth at will between them, depending on what's available. Easy, isn't it? Almost instant flexfuel vehicle, and a much cheaper conversion that the Pickens Plan, which involves converting to natural gas.
Reply