Greasy Motors, the Real GM (Fall 2007)

By diane leutgeb munson

Michael and I recently acted together in the spirit of non-violent resistance. It did not result in arrest, nor did it involve breaking a law. In fact, it drew almost no attention from local authorities. We feel, however, that we have challenged the structures of government, militarism and capitalism in our most recent acquisition of a “new” truck. Our lime green, 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit truck is fueled by waste vegetable oil. Our friend, Joe Libera, has started marketing vehicles like ours through his company Greasy Motors, and we have been his first customers. Joe purchased the truck, made the necessary repairs and bodywork, had it painted and added new tires. He worked with Bernie, a local retired farmer, to modify the engine to run on vegetable oil. Bernie, an 82-year-old widower, converted his own truck to run on waste vegetable oil a few years ago and is currently building a small plane, which will also operate on used oil.
The idea of running a vehicle on vegetable oil is not new. In fact, when Rudolf Diesel debuted his innovative engine at the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris, France, he used peanut oil for power. Diesel’s engine was designed to be more efficient than the steam engine, which was being used at the time by major industries. The steam engine had an efficiency of 10% or less, meaning that 90% of the fuels potential was lost. His initial working model outdid all steam engines of the day, utilizing 26% of the potential energy. In another five years Diesel’s modified engines were running at an amazing 75% efficiency.
Diesel’s aim was not only to increase the effectiveness of engines, but also to provide something that was accessible to small industries and working class people. Running an engine on vegetable oil versus petroleum accomplished just that goal. The diesel engine has changed over time and currently runs most commonly on petroleum based diesel fuel. However, because of the initial design of the engine, it easily runs on vegetable oil. By simply adding a tank for the vegetable oil and a separate fuel line to the engine, the vehicle operates normally on the oil. Though the purity of the oil is important, waste oil can be collected from restaurants and cleaned through a simple filtering process in ones home. When the oil is clean, gas mileage is extremely good, averaging 50-60 miles a gallon.
In driving an alternative vehicle, we are striving to live out the values of sustainable living and resistance to violence in another facet of our lives. Our own oil consumption and the endless conflict in the Middle East, spawned by our country’s desire to secure resources, weigh heavily on our minds. We are constantly aware of the fact that our day-to-day choices affect the lives of others, both in our immediate community and in the wider global community. In the same way that we remember farmers, truckers, grocery store workers and immigrant laborers when we sit down to eat, we also remember the trail of petroleum from the depths of the earth to our gas tank. It is for this reason that we have attempted to take one more step back from the pump; the pump that seems to bind us against our will to the wars that our country fights to keep our tanks full.
Michael and I aim to drive a vehicle, even one that runs on vegetable oil, as our last resort. Before we consider starting the truck we attempt to exhaust all other measures. If we cannot walk, then we ride a bike. If we cannot carry the groceries on a bike, we use a backpack, a rack or a trailer. When the streets are slick with ice and the bike simply will not remain upright, we have the option of riding the bus. It is only when all creativity has been drained and all physical force will not meet the task at hand that we usually consider driving a vehicle. If it is absolutely necessary to drive, then we count each gallon of fuel consumed and know that our footprint sinks deeper into our beloved planet with every mile we speed down the freeway.
We are constantly inspired in creativity by those around us who do not have the option of driving. We have guests, including many with physical disabilities, that walk and ride bikes to get to and from our house each day. We know parents who are able to complete errands with two and three children in tow, all on bikes and in trailers. We learn from community members and friends who take the bus to work or carpool with colleagues instead of driving alone. We see creative ways to transport food, children, pets, instruments, etc. every day on the streets of Winona. Using waste vegetable oil to power our vehicle does not make us guiltless amidst our countries’ race to consume petroleum. We continue, unfortunately to use hundreds of products a week that are petroleum based. We are, however, increasingly conscious of how many gallons of fuel it takes to power our lives on the road. Our Rabbit truck, helps us to keep our thoughts with those who suffer because of our need for oil and remember that there are steps we can take to change the way our country attempts to meet our fuel needs.
For more information about Greasy Motors, call Joe Libera at 608-687-8158.