Posted Oct. 6, 2010

Neil Young made a special appearance Sept. 23 in support of his "Repowering the American Dream" Lincvolt automotive environmental initiative. The event, which was held in the lobby of the Hollywood, Fl.-based Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, offered attendees the rare opportunity to get an up-close look at Young's prototype, zero-emissions 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible.

According to Don Scott, the National Biodiesel Board's director of sustainability, Young and his team have been working on the Lincvolt project for nearly three years. "The press event last week was kind of an unveiling," he said, noting that the vehicle is currently on a road-trip that will wrap-up at Farm Aid in Milwaukee, Wis., later this week.

During the event, Young remarked that he likes old cars and he likes driving on American roads. However, he felt a bit guilty over the gas consumption of the old convertible, so he set out to find a team of skilled professionals that could make the vehicle more sustainable to drive. "He was interested in biodiesel, so he wanted to do a little demonstration of what could be done with the right technology and the right fuel," Scott said.

The Lincvolt is a diesel electric hybrid that uses a biodiesel-powered microturbine engine to recharge batteries that power an electric motor. The combination of biodiesel and electric batteries gives Lincvolt a range of more than 400 miles, while the efficient, biodiesel-powered engine and electric motor allow the vehicle to achieve 80 miles-per-gallon.

"The U.S. biodiesel industry could support as many as 78,000 good American jobs and displace 97 million barrels of imported petroleum," said Young during the event. "In 2009, biodiesel added $4.1 billion to the nation's Gross Domestic Product and supported jobs in all sectors of the economy while reducing carbon and other harmful emissions."

At the time of its release, the 1959 vehicle was the heaviest convertible ever built by Ford, weighing in at 6,200 pounds. If the Lincvolt team can achieve such a high level of efficiency using more than 3 tons of recycled Detroit steel, the possibilities of pairing the hybrid technology in modern vehicles should result in even more significant efficiencies, said the NBB in a press release issued after the event. "I think the irony of this big, old, heavy car was something that Neil enjoyed and thought would get peoples' attention," Scott said. "If we can get this kind of performance out of this old car, imagine what we could do with modern vehicles."

"It's doubtful that Ford engineers from 1959 could have predicted the transformation that would eventually become Lincvolt," Scott continued. "But it's clear that today's engine manufactures are planning for renewable fuels. Every major engine manufacture approves some level of biodiesel in their vehicles today. Ford is leading the industry by proudly displaying a B20 logo right on the door of every 2011 Super Duty pickup. This indicates they build an American truck that burns American fuel."

According to Young's website, the Linvolt emits less greenhouse gases that any hybrid electric or conventional car with a fuel economy rating of less than 80 miles per gallon. In fact, Lincvolt's per-mile turbine emissions are estimated to be only 60 percent of the Toyota Prius' emissions. Based on average grid emissions in the U.S., charging the Lincvolt with its biodiesel fueled capstone microturbine generator create 48 percent less emissions than would result from charging the engine via the power grid.

"Lincvolt could be rated as a zero emissions vehicle, and using biodiesel would emit less CO2 than even an all electric car powered by the California grid," said Steve Gillette of Captsone Turbine Corp., which manufactured the turbine engine used in the vehicle.

According to Scott, the Lincvolt initiative should help educate the public on the many benefits of biodiesel. "At the event, there were lots of people who came out to see Neil Young-the legend, the rock star," he said. "We started talking about these American jobs and how much money we send overseas [to purchase crude oil.] They really got interested in that…So, that was very positive."

The Lincvolt is accompanying Young on tour stops around the nation to help raise awareness about saving the environment. The vehicle's journey will be documented on film to help publicize how this innovative technology can help generate clean power in the 21st century.