HUMMERHUMMER
Posts: 203
Joined: 3/13/2006
Status: offline
|
Hummer H2 runs on biodiesel
By RYAN BLACKBURN
Published: Friday, June 29, 2007 8:03 PM CDT
Treasurer of Blackhawk Biofuels, Ron Fluegel, stands by his Hummer H2 Friday in Lena, which has been converted to run on biodiesel, a source of fuel derived from vegetable oil and animal fats. JOE TAMBORELLO / THE JOURNAL-STANDARD
The Journal-Standard
FREEPORT - Some of the most die-hard environmentalists might find themselves in the middle of an ethical quandary after coming in contact with a new SUV.
That's because Ron Fluegel's brand new 2007 Hummer H2 doesn't guzzle gas. It guzzles 100 percent biodiesel fuel, or fuel derived from vegetable oil, animal fats and other biological sources.
Fluegel acquired the car as part of a promotional deal with his new corporation, Green Concept Promotions, on Wednesday.
Before the Hummer was converted to process the renewable fuel, it was averaging a dismal 8 miles per gallon. Now thanks to new engine, transmission, intake, computer and exhaust systems, the car averages 24 MPG.
Fluegel's car is also equipped with the latest GPS technology, an on-board air compressor and retractable side-steps. Other amenities include two TV sets embedded in the front headrests, and a camera attached to the rear bumper that provides a video feed to the rear-view mirror.
Curious passersby periodically stopped to take a look at the car while it was parked Friday outside the Blackhawk Biofuels office where Fluegel works as the company's treasurer.
"That was the purpose of getting the Hummer," Fluegel said. "If I did up a Honda Prius with that, I wouldn't get the same reaction."
A promotional deal
Fluegel's mission is to educate the public about the benefits of biodiesel fuel, especially in northwestern Illinois, which has been heralded as a developing renewable energy corridor.
Fluegel was fortunate to from a relationship with Tom Holm, executive director of the EcoTrek Foundation, based outside of Thousand Oaks, Calif., who mentioned the technology at a national biofuels conference in January.
While there, Holm discussed his business, which is involved in research and development for aftermarket components that make larger vehicles run more economically on renewable fuels.
"The reason we chose hummers is because they're perceived as the world's worst gas guzzlers," Holm said. "And I wanted people to get angry with me for driving a gas guzzler, sparking a conversation where I can tell them I'm not using one drop of gasoline. Every vehicle I drive, my car, my boat,everything I operate for transportation, is 100 percent renewable fuels."
Fluegel signed a contract for a two-year period to market and promote renewable fuels with Holm's company.
"The education to the general public is what's huge," Fluegel said. "That's what needs to be out there and this is a vehicle we're trying to do that with because it's an attention-getting vehicle."
A one-of-a-kind automobile
Holm said the H2 Hummer in Freeport is one of only two that were manufactured in the world.
A brand new 2007 Hummer H2 costs about $72,000 to start. With the change-outs for biodiesel and a few top-of-the-line upgrades, the total cost of the vehicle is about $110,000.
"You can not get this vehicle from (General Motors) with a diesel engine," Fluegel said. "They just don't make it. This is a fully customized engine package."
Holm said a second EcoTrek operation is coming online in Cleveland where other SUV's such as Chevy Tahoes and Cadillac Escalades would be converted at a slightly larger output, possibly ten cars per month.
"They're great vehicles if you can find a way to make them fuel-efficient," Holm said.
|
Printable Version
H2 24 MPG - 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread