Scientists unveil chocolate-run car

6th May 2009

UK scientists hope chocolate will help power one of the world's fast biofuel vehicles, which will go 232 kmh powered by waste from chocolate factories.

flickr.com/stuart_spivack

BRITISH scientists hope chocolate will help power one of the world's fast biofuel vehicles.

Its makers hope the racer, powered by waste from chocolate factories, will go 232 kmh and give manufacturers ideas about how to build more ecologically friendly vehicles.

The car, unveiled on Tuesday, runs on vegetable oils and chocolate waste that has been turned into biofuel. The steering wheel is made out of plant-based fibres derived from carrots and other root vegetables, and the seat is built of flax fibre and soybean oil foam. The body is also made of plant fibres.

Scientists at the University of Warwick say their car is the fastest to run on biofuels and also be made from biodegradable materials. It has been built to Formula 3 specifications about the car's size, weight, and performance.

Their claims cannot be independently verified.

They hope it can reach speeds of over 232 kmh when it is tested on a racetrack in a few weeks time. They have driven it at around 96 kmh and are now making final adjustments to the engine before driving it at top speed.

Warwick's project manager James Meredith said their model shows that it is possible to build a fast, efficient, environmentally friendly car.

The car, named the "WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car," will go on display at several races including the European Grand Prix and Britain's Goodwood Festival of Speed.