Bio-Bug: Car run on human waste is launched

Laura Roberts Telegraph 08/06/2010 14:43

A car that runs on methane gas produced by human waste has been launched and its makers claim drivers cannot tell the difference.

The Bio-Bug has been converted by a team of British engineers to be powered by biogas, which is produced from human waste at sewage works across the country.

They believe the car is a viable alternative to electric vehicles.

Excrement flushed down the lavatories of just 70 homes is enough to power the car for 10,000 miles - the equivalent of one average motoring year.

This conversion technology has been used in the past but the Bio-Bug is Britain's first car to run on methane gas without its performance being reduced.

It can power a conventional two litre VW Beetle convertible to 114mph.

Mohammed Saddiq, of sustainable energy firm GENeco, which developed the prototype, claimed that drivers "won't know the difference".

He said: "Previously the gas hasn't been clean enough to fuel motor vehicles without it affecting performance.

"However, through using the latest technology our Bio-Bug drives like any conventional car and what's more it uses sustainable fuel.