CFCC students using vegetable oil as fuel

Using alternative fuel sources can be a good way to save the environment and money.

Cape Fear Community College student Jonathan Davison is learning that first-hand.

He and his friend Joe Hernandez are the first CFCC students to power a truck using vegetable oil.

Their instructor Thomas Butler encouraged them to take on the project.

The vegetable oil is in a tank on the back of Davison’s truck. He does use some diesel until the oil heats up, and then a gage lets him know when it’s OK to flip a switch to start using the vegetable oil.

“Once it started running right, just the feeling of not losing any power and the satisfaction of knowing it’s an alternative fuel and it’s better for the environment, was really exciting,” said Davison.

Davison recycles vegetable oil that has been used by local restaurants.