Alternative fuels are cheap, but there's a hitch

Regulations on vegetable fuel stymie plans for greener travel

One of those who bought a system is Nagurney. He popped open the trunk of his Passat to show the 12-gallon plastic tank that holds the vegetable oil. A heater keeps the oil from congealing in cold weather. The mechanic ran tubes from the tank to the engine, which still has a normal diesel tank and can run on standard diesel as well.

Nagurney said he struck up a deal with a local Chinese restaurant to take its used oil for free. The restaurant would normally have to pay to have it hauled away. He leaves the restaurant 4.5 gallon plastic containers with spouts, and the restaurant staff fills them with old grease.

About once every two weeks, he drives by to pick up the containers from the kitchen - usually buying a soda and some food to be friendly.

The government's view of all this, in terms of taxes, is puzzling to him. "Whatever they tell me to do, I will gladly do," he said. "But I think this is double taxation, if restaurants are paying sales tax on vegetable oil when they buy it, and then I have to pay taxes on it a second time when I burn the used oil as fuel."

He said the savings that come from using SVO are substantial.

"It's wonderful," he said, driving around Laurel recently, a sweet smell coming from his tailpipe. "My wife and I went on a trip to Williamsburg, Va., two weeks ago, and we drove 400 miles but only paid $4.50 for fuel. It would have cost us about $45 for diesel."

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