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We purchased the bus in Asheville in the fall of 2005 after seeing it parked on the street. We immediately were struck by its distinctive look and the fact that the owners were fueling it on bio diesel. Not knowing exactly what we were going to do with it, we decided to purchase it anyway.
The greater Triangle environmental/sustainable community heard there was alternative group transportation available and we started providing the bus service for various events. Carolina Farm Stewardship's renewable energy tour was one of our first gigs. We also did the Haw River Assemblies old mill tour. A shuttle to the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival was started fall of 2005 and will be a regular part of the festival. Smaller gigs have been with Piedmont Biofuels and The Forest Foundation. An upcoming event will be Appalachian State's Appropriate Technology department's entry in EPA's sustainability competition in Washington, DC, where the bus will provide transportation and be part of their exhibit.
The bus is fueled with B-100--pure Biodiesel. We are members of both Bull City Biofuels and Piedmont Biofuels and these are the two pumps where we fill up. Biodiesel is a safe, renewable, clean-burning, domestically produced fuel made from vegetable oils that can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications. To make biodiesel, vegetable oil is combined with lye and methanol in a process called transesterification. The advantages of Biodiesel over petroleup are many, and include:
-100% reduction in Sulfur Dioxides and Sulfates (major components of acid rain)
-48% reduction in Carbon Monoxide
-67% reduction in hydrocarbons
-90% reduction in nitrated PAHs
-47% reduction in particulate matter
-New markets for American farmers
-Reduction in dependence on foreign oil
If you are interested in using the Bio Bus for your event, email us at gaiabiobus@yahoo.com; call us at (919) 688-5606; or visit our website at www.gaiabiobus.com.
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