henpcycle

[Guest guest]

HempCycle.org needs your help!

 

June 15, 2002

HempCycle.org is currently planning to launch a tour in April, 2003 with a

hybrid motorcycle powered by hempseed oil-based biodiesel fuel, to educate the

public about the economic and environmental advantages to using hemp as an

alternative fuel source for hybrid vehicles. We believe the combination of the

use of hemp fuel and hybrid vehicles will go a long way toward healing the

environmental damage done by petroleum use, and reduce US dependence on foreign

oil. With $50 billion a year in tax dollars spent on military protection of

overseas oil interests, the cost burden of petroleum fuels is unfairly

shouldered by everyone, regardless of how much or how little fuel they consume.

If we had to pay the full cost of procurement, transport and processing of crude

oil at the pump, gasoline would cost well over $4 per gallon. Since plant

material absorbs carbon dioxide as it's growing, fuels made from plant material

merely release the same carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, and do not

contribute to the buildup of greenhouse gasses as much as their petroleum

counterparts.

 

The motorcycle HempCycle.org will be using for this educational tour is a hybrid

motorcycle made by eCycle, Inc. in Temple, Pennsylvania. This unique vehicle

utilizes a high-torque electric motor to provide power for acceleration, and a

small diesel engine to provide power for steady speed cruising. While both

methods of propulsion have their drawbacks when used separately, they complement

each other when used in tandem. When not providing propulsion, the electric

motor serves double duty as a generator to recharge the batteries and power the

fuel injection system, lights and other electrical subsystems of the vehicle.

eCycle estimates their hybrid motorcycle will travel 180 miles per gallon,

accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6 seconds, and attain a top speed

of 80 miles per hour.

 

HempCycle.org can't make its tour without the help of sponsors. The first twelve

businesses or organizations to provide a weatherproof vinyl decal and pay $600

will have their logo displayed on a side panel of the motorcycle and on our

website. If there is still room left on the bike for more decals after the first

twelve sponsors, we will provide space until we run out. Other businesses and

organizations wishing to support our efforts at a lower commitment level will be

listed on our website with a text or graphic link.

 

Since the HempCycle tour will be made via motorcycle, the tour will take place

during the spring and summer months only. We will begin next spring, and tour

all summer long, and continue the tour in 2004. The motorcycle will always be

fueled with biodiesel, but we can only guarantee that it will be powered by

hempseed oil-based biodiesel for the first six months of the first riding

season. Should we run out of our supply of hempseed oil-based fuel, we will rely

on our nationwide list of biodiesel distributors to avoid using petroleum fuel

as much as possible. Most biodiesel commercially available in the US is made

from soybean and/or canola oil. Hemp is a much more viable crop for producing

biodiesel fuel than either of these crops, due to the fact that hemp can be used

to produce both vegetable oil and methanol, the two major ingredients in

biodiesel fuel. We would prefer to use hempseed oil-based fuel for as long as

possible, but due to the US government's prohibition on domestically grown hemp,

the cost of hempseed oil is a major obstacle for us to overcome. Fortunately,

with the hybrid vehicle technology we will be using, fuel consumption will be

minimal.

 

If you're interested in becoming a HempCycle.org sponsor or supporter, contact

us at sponsorship for more details.

 

Sincerely,

 

William Dwyer, Director

HempCycle.org