In photos: The kitchen-grease-powered Mitsubishi van
Running a car on kitchen grease is a science lesson on wheels, with some economics thrown in: you learn about mechanics, thermodynamics and molecular chemistry. And you drive for free. But free driving has a high price. Take it from Nathaniel Poole, who drives a 1991 Mitsubishi Delica van that runs on scavenged oil. Instead of pulling into a gas station, he drives around with an electric pump and lengths of tubing, sucking out the contents of restaurant grease vats and turning it into fuel.
Nathaniel Poole and his grease-mobile.Peter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Nathaniel Poole scavenges for oil to run his Mitsubishi Delica van.
Nathaniel Poole’s grease car parked on a beach with the tent on top.`
Nathaniel Poole shows off the engine in his grease car on Vancouver Island.
Nathaniel Poole filling up his grease car.
Nathaniel Poole and his vats of grease for his van.Peter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Hoses for grease in Nathaniel Poole’s van.Peter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Nathaniel Poole’s grease-mobile.Peter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Nathaniel Poole’s grease-mobile.Peter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Nathaniel Poole’s grease mobilePeter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Nathaniel Poole and his grease-mobile.Peter Cheney/The Globe and Mail
Nathaniel Poole inside his grease car.
Nathaniel Poole’s grease car with the tent on top.
Nathaniel Poole’s grease car with the tent on top.
Nathaniel Poole’s grease car.
Nathaniel Poole’s grease car