It turns out, chocolate may not only be used as a base material in making food products, drinks, and beauty products, but it could also be effective when used as a fuel. British scientists have developed a vehicle that is powered by waste from chocolate factories.  The vehicle runs on vegetable oils and chocolate waste which was converted into biofuel.

Such fuel can be an alternative source of energy to answer the present worldwide energy crisis. The outcome was a vehicle filled with chocolate waste fuel which is able to run fast enough. This car, which is referred to as the greenest of its kind, is expected to reach the maximum of 135 mph when it is on the track. It can actually reach 60 mph from a standing start in less than 2 and a half seconds.

This particular vehicle has been made out of recycled cars, plastic bottles and even off-cuts from airplanes.  It has a steering wheel composed of carrot fiber and runs on biodiesel derived from wastes of chocolate factories and stale wine. It was possible since chocolate waste has high contents of fat which convert well into "green fuel." It can run for about 35 miles per gallon.

The leader of the project, Dr. Kerry Kirwan, stated that the vehicle was proof that "green cars don't have to be boring."

"We'll be disappointed if it doesn't do well," he said. "We believe this is the greenest car in its class. It's the first car of its kind built from waste material, recycled material and natural materials, but it has the same performance levels and looks just like a Formula 3 racing car," he added.

"We hope to reach out to future scientists and engineers and give them something they can get excited about and relate to."

Even though the cockpit and chassis used are traditional ones, they have been recycled from an old Formula 3 racing car. Nevertheless, given that racing implements strict rules, its tires had to be made out of traditional rubber.

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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