As six environmentally friendly cars rested on the Reitz Union North Lawn, students and environmental agencies talked about the possibility of more energy-efficient campus transportation options.
Progress Energy, the Eco-Trans Alliance, Wise Gas Inc. and UF had cars on display with presentations explaining the alternative sources of energy, such as ethanol, biodiesel and electric batteries that the cars use.
Most of UF’s transportation runs on gasoline, but the Department of Transportation is planning on expanding the use of alternative fuels such as ethanol and electricity, said Jonathan Priest, UF’s fleet superintendent.
UF is working specifically on expanding its use of biodiesel, Priest said.
Biodiesel, which is typically made from soy beans and animal fat, makes up about 20 percent of energy for a vehicle. The rest of the energy comes from diesel. Biodiesel costs $2.65 per gallon, Priest said.
According to the American Automobile Association, diesel fuel costs $2.928 per gallon.
For fleets, the extra cents add up, Priest said.
Gregory Hyde, the special projects manager of the Eco-Trans Alliance, a company that uses renewable energy sources for transportation, said alternative transportation is the most effective.
“It’s transportation without pollution and no heavy expenses,” Hyde said. “People are intrigued.”
During the event, Hyde showed the cruise car, which looks like a golf cart with large solar panels placed on its roof.
Cruise cars can run on various sources of energy, but most run on a combination of solar energy and electric batteries.
Hyde said the cruise car is ideal for a university setting because some cars can hold as many as 14 passengers.
