""The students altered the frame to accommodate a 200-horsepower electric motor under the front hood. An upgraded 150-horsepower, turbocharged Volkswagen diesel engine occupies what would be the trunk on most cars.
To comply with Tour de Sol rules, the engine runs on "biodiesel" fuel: It's biodegradable and nontoxic, and has significantly lower emissions than petroleum-based diesel when burned.
The Attack's soybean-based biodiesel was made by students and Hauger in their West Philadelphia garage, Hauger said.""-- from the Philly Inquirer link in original posting above
Now, combine that story for your car with this for your home :
Rwanda award for 'sewage' cooking
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4639363.stm""A Rwandan prison project, which reduces cooking fuel bills by using methane gas from inmates' toilet waste, has won a global environment award.""
This low-tech use of what would normally go to waste (literally) could be a propane LP conserver/alternative. LP is made from petroleum, so "doing" this would lessen dependence worldwide upon oil to a vast extent.
I note that Lester Brown's Plan B 2.0 book shows conclusively that the Chinese and Indians, let alone the US, cannot sustain a US-style throwaway automobile-centered economy. It would only last until around 2031 if that. Alternatives and conservation are now NECESSITIES.
Oh, and I just found this link at DU showing biodiesel is cheaper than fossil fuel now
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1091177