The rise at the bowser gives a lesson in history, writes Alan Attwood. But a new technology that powers cars with vegetable oil is proving that maybe they aren't so different, after all. So while OPEC was agreeing to increase output of crude last week, a move that should slightly reduce petrol prices, a Melbourne collective was testing bio-diesel, a mix of vegetable oil, methanol, caustic soda and glycerine, which can be used in diesel engines without the engine modification. Bio-diesel is already gaining wide acceptance in Europe, especially Germany, where more than 1000 service stations already stock it as a matter of course. There is also growing use in the United States.
Some people say it smells a little bit like a fish and chip shop going past.
Ms Libby Anthony, of the ATA, said the group was raising money for a program of testing the fuel in local use as well as developing ways to manufacture and store it that could see it used increasingly by local diesel vehicle owners. At present, surplus crops of different types of oils are being used to produce bio-diesel, although recycled oil can be used. Eventually, whole crops are expected to be dedicated to bio-diesel production. Recycled oil that has been used in cooking can also be used. Mr Jesse said it had been estimated that about 10per cent of the US truck industry could run on the millions of tonnes of waste oil discarded each year.