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First whisky-powered car hits the road

Posted on 09 July, 2017
First whisky-powered car hits the road

The first whisky-powered car has had its successful test drive in Scotland. The biofuel, developed by Celtic Renewables Ltd, is produced from draff and pot ale, by-products of whiskey fermentation. Biobutanol, as it’s called, is a direct replacement for petrol and diesel, and its makers say it can be used in a regular combustion vehicle with no engine modification. Over 2 billion litres of pot ale and 750,000 tonnes of draff are produced by the whisky industry in Scotland each year, which Celtic Renewables said could be converted into millions of litres of biobutanol.  "This is the first time in history that a car has ever been driven with a biofuel produced from whisky production residues,” said Celtic Renewables president and founder, Professor Martin Tangey in a statement. “Celtic Renewables is playing its part in sustainability by taking this initiative from a research project at Edinburgh Napier University to, what we believe will be, a multi-billion-pound global business with the opportunity to turn transport green.” The alternative energy start-up worked closely with Tullibardine Distillery in Perthshire, an offshoot of Edinburgh Napier University. "Right from the outset when Celtic Renewables approached us, we could see the game-changing potential of a new fuel created from our by-products,” said Tullibardine distillery manager John Torrance. “We're happy to support what promises to be a groundbreaking first for renewable energy, for transport and for the Scottish whisky industry alike." Celtic Renewables received $15.9 million in funding from the Scottish Government to produce a commercial plant, with commissioning due in 2018.