If it were not being transformed into an eco-fuel, the oil, which is waste cooking oil from restaurants in Hamilton, would otherwise be burned at Tynes Bay. The only by-product of biodiesel manufacture is non-toxic glycerin used to make soap.

The biodiesel, which is being sold at Marsh Lane by the Ornamental Iron Works Limited, is five dollars a gallon as opposed to at least seven dollars a gallon for normal diesel at the pumps. It is the only commercially available biodiesel being made at the moment, despite Government efforts to stimulate the industry.

Some vehicles, like Nissan and other Japanese trucks, can run on 100% biodiesel. Other brands of trucks can run on a 30% biodiesel mix, and some domestic diesel cars like Renault and Peugeot are also approved to take a 30% mix. In Europe, all diesel sold has a minimum of 10% biodiesel already mixed in.

Robin Gray, local partner of Ornamental Iron Works Limited reports, "Truck drivers are impressed by the performance of the new fuel, saying the engines run smoother and quieter. Biodiesel additives are cleaner and better oxygenated. They burn better, create less particulate matter and actually lubricate and clean things like cylinders, pistons and fuel lines."

Ironically, rising oil prices have boosted renewable technologies to a point where they are cheaper and better for the environment. This is a perfect example of a sustainable technology that benefits both pocket and planet! Greenrock encourages owners of heavy equipment vehicles and trucks, even power generators, to try this alternative fuel - your equipment could benefit from it and so will Bermuda.

Greenrock would prefer to see more electric vehicles (cars and scooters) used on the island's roads since Bermuda's size is ideally suited for this technology. However, there are challenges: see our article about Electric Vehicles. It would seem that the local car distributors are being pushed into introducing hybrids in Bermuda rather than providing diesel engine cars capable of driving on biodiesel.

Right now the local production of biodiesel is in its infancy stages ... but with more consumer demand, this can easily change. Consumers in Bermuda need to make more demands from the car distributors on the island. And through these demands, we'll see an alternative to hybrids emerging ... and hopefully this will provide an interim solution while we wait for the electric car industry to settle and more renewable energy sources to appear in Bermuda and reduce our energy dependence on low-grade fossil fuels.