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Wayne Kieth, a partner in Renewable Energy Systems, LLC, is embarking on a coast-to-coast drive in his Bio-Truck, a pickup that is powered by the burning of solid biomass materials, such as wood, switchgrass, and crop litter. Keith hopes to garner media attention about alternative fuels and plans to power the Bio-Truck with a wide range of solid fuels during its cross-country drive.

The wood-burning engine essentially takes the gasses emitted from the burning wood and feeds them into the standard engine. Keith has two versions of this gasifier, one mounted in a 1991 Dodge Dakota V-8 and another in a 1987 V-6 Dakota. The eight-cylinder Dakota travels about one mile per pound of wood and can reach speeds of over 80 miles per hour when traveling solely via wood-power. The V-6 Dakota gets about 1.5 miles per pound and tops out around 65 mph.

Be sure to check out the Bio-Truck website for specific information and tour locations. We think this is a pretty unique idea for alternative fuels and commend Mr. Kieth on his hard work.