Pellet-powered car sets records
Speaking about the competition the owner of the 1989 Mercury Cougar XR7 Robert ‘Chip’ Beam said: ‘There’s no category for a wood-powered car. This year we set the record. Next year we’re hoping to break the record.’
Most of Beam’s wood pellets come from waste timber collected at furniture-crafting workshops and he claims to have driven 120 miles from Alfred, New York to Williamsport for just under $20 (€14.30) in wood fuel costs.
With a mileage of around one mile to a pound of wood pellets, Beam explains that a 2,000lb bag of pellets would cost in the region of $200 to $300, however goes on to say that costs would be further reduced if people made their own pellets with a $1,300 pelletiser.
The automobile is registered, insured and licensed to drive on streets and main roads.