Creating a Sustainable Transportation & Energy Vision for the 21^st Century

www.AltWheels.org

JUSTIN CARVEN

AltWheels Regional Hero: Providing an affordable, accessible bio-fuel alternative

to conventional diesel fuel

info@greasecar.com

Justin Carven poses with one of Greasecar’s vehicles,

which run on either diesel fuel or vegetable oil.

· Home: Easthampton, MA

· Current and recent roles: Founder and president of Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems

· Greening work: "Saving the world with French fries.” Justin’s business sells kits that let diesel cars run on vegetable oil.

· Current project: Justin founded Greasecar while a student at Hampshire College and grew it into a thriving business. He is responsible for product development as well as general business management. The company has greatly increased the popularity and use of vegetable oil, including recycled restaurant oil, in vehicles, selling more than 4,000 kits so far.

· Inspiration: Carl Beilenberg of The Better World Workshop in Calis, VT. "His appropriate technology work in West Africa and Vermont over the last 30 years has had a significant impact beyond what he and most others currently recognize."

· Impact of work: "Our basic mission at Greasecar is to present an affordable and accessible bio-fuel alternative to conventional diesel fuel. Bio-fuels offer a wide array of benefits not only in the reduction of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants, but also in terms of domestic financial and humanitarian security. No single technology offers a ‘silver bullet’ solution to our energy dilemma, but Greasecar offers an accessible transportation option for those who want to step in the right direction."

· Economics of work: "There are quite a few variables in the economics of using vegetable oil as fuel, but generally there is a significant opportunity for economic savings. Most of our customers are recycling waste cooking oil for use as fuel and, though there is an investment of time in collecting and filtering the oil, the raw material is free. State and federal fuel excise taxes add up to about 50 cents per gallon and, with an average filtration cost of less than 10 cents per gallon, a Greasecar user can save more than $2 per gallon over conventional diesel fuel. Depending on the amount of driving, the conversion equipment can pay itself off in a matter of months."

· Useful websites: www.greasecar.com