A Green Biodiesel Hummer

10 April, 2007 12:00:00

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Jonathan Goodwin, a biodiesel conversion specialist and founder of alternative energy start-up SAE Energy, has built a car that can run on ethanol, hydrogen, biodiesel or natural gas--all fairly clean fuels. It gets the equivalent of 40 miles a gallon. And it's a Hummer.

He's already converted about 60 H2 Hummers from gas to diesel and about 100 H1 hummers, including a Hummer that can burn the whole menu of clean fuels.

On Earth Day (April 22nd), MTV Networks' show Pimp My Ride will feature a 1965 Impala he converted from gas to biodiesel. And since nothing says Earth Day like a drag race, the converted Impala went up against a Lamborghini in a quarter-mile test. The Impala won.

If anything, consumers and businesses are clearly interested in clean cars. With the rise of biodiesel, the market and price for used diesel cars has climbed, according to anecdotal reports from sellers, and Toyota has continued to experience dramatic shipment growth for its Prius hybrid.

Goodwin says a large delivery company is currently negotiating with him about converting fleets of their diesel delivery vehicles from diesel to natural gas.

Gas-to-diesel conversions are the automotive equivalent of a heart transplant. The gas-burning engine and original transmission are removed and replaced with a Duramax diesel engine, typically inserted in Chevy trucks, and an Allison transmission.

A gas-to-diesel conversion boosts a Hummer's mileage from about 10 miles a gallon to between 22 and 24 miles a gallon. Additionally, the horsepower jumps from about 325 in the regular Hummer to 650, giving the car more power.

The performance increase comes in part from the inherent properties of diesel engines. Overall, a diesel can deliver more torque--the rotational force applied to an object, in this case the car's crankshaft--than a gas engine. A 500 horsepower gas engine might put out 600 foot-pounds of torque. A similar diesel might put out 800 to 900 foot-pounds of torque.

"Torque is the key," Goodwin said.

The mileage increase alone makes the Hummer more green than it was originally. But drivers can cut down on emissions even more if they run their cars on biodiesel, made from vegetable oil, rather than diesel derived from hydrocarbons dug from the earth. The converted cars can run on either fuel, but biodiesel puts far less carbon dioxide into the air, along with other pollutants. (Diesel cars can also run on waste vegetable oil, but typically require additional modifications before it can just get filled up at the deep fat fryer.)

For most customers, though, the status and novelty factor seem to be drivers. The conversion, which takes about seven days, costs roughly $24,000. If gas sells for $3 a gallon, you'd have to drive around 140,000 miles before breaking even.

Still, the idea of a green Hummer does take getting used to. Another TV network wants to do a story on biodiesel conversion, but balked at the idea of centering the show around a Hummer. To avoid potential complaints, they will convert a Cadillac Escalade.

Comments (6 posted):

on 10 April, 2007 11:53:27

I would like to get more details on what other modifications were made on the Hummer to get 40 MPG. I have a 2004 Ford Excurision with a 6.0 L diesel with an updated control module, AirRaid intake and on a good day I can get 19-20 MPG. There must be something else other than changing fuel to get such an increase. My Excurision weighs in at 7200lb about the same as the H2 hummer.

on 23 April, 2007 01:57:08

Come on guys : look, I am all for public transportation, bike use as alternatives, etc - but don't be ridiculous and overlook the impact that this innovation has on the consumer. Thousands of vehicles are built every day that do damage to our planet, so any step in the right direction is worth an honorable mention. It is great that Jonathan Goodwin took takes the time to help convert vehicles that the manufacturer doesnâ€™t. It is even better that there are consumers out there who want to take their hard earned dollar and convert their vehicles. You are not going to get rid of the consumer who enjoys the huge H1 or H2, so why not support the people out there who do own these large beasts to get them converted â€“ every bit helps. You say you are all for saving the planet and making a difference, so take a hard look at what this can do to reduce pollutants, increase adoption, generate more awareness, etc. For the ridiculous "all or nothing" individuals posting to this article, you probably are not the person able to help drive change - you are the one who can help yourself, but that's about it. For the people who see this as a great step and can see how this helps drive change among the average consumer - then bravo to you. We'll continue to push the message and support initiatives, while the rest of those out there who demand all or nothing get nowhere. You might be a true treehugger, but think about how you send the message and support others in there adoption rather than bash an initiative that helps - otherwise why are you even posting on this site, much less reading the great information found here.

on 08 June, 2007 01:05:35

I'm intrested in finding out where I can get a h3 hummer converted to biodiesal. I also need to now the price tage to convert it over. Please send me details.

on 25 September, 2008 01:17:10

I was surprised. Hummer to be truly green had made with low-embodied energy materials. Btw, I'm curious of what is the fastest limit of hummer that it can go through?

on 07 October, 2008 07:44:07

it was amazing to see that the hummer is now on the green side, i just hope that all cars are all hybrid, it could be a thing for the <a href="http://www.car-stuff.com/gas-saving-products.html">fuel economy</a> and it could help save the environment in a way... :D

on 26 October, 2008 01:05:56

COOL! I own a 2006 Hummer H2 and would love to convert my H2! Not every "treehugger" hates Hummers... my H2 runs cleaner and better than most older, junky cars, other "treehuggers" proudly drive, so who is really spoiling the air..not me!