You've heard of engines running on biodiesel, but what about tequila?
An eco-friendly business owner and a local custom motorcycle manufacturer collaborated on finding an alternative fuel source for motorcycles, and came up with a bike that doesn't rely on gasoline, and instead promotes green sustainable energy.
The business owner, Gary Spellman, wanted to "make our carbon footprint less noticeable by environmentally clean living."
His team modeled a process used for field irrigation, in which the engine valves burn ethanol, the primary agent in tequila, at a slower rate. Spellman, with the help of the motorcycle manufacturer, Rob Verdugo, applied that process to a motorcycle engine.
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Eco-Motorcycle
News 8's Maureen McCann tells you about an effort to reduce our carbon footprint.
 
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"You get straight water coming out the tailpipe, and if you don't put any gasoline in there you can drink the tequila right out of the tank," Gary said.
While this isn't a mainstream process at this time, there are a few bikes in commission right now including those owned by stuntman Robbie Knievel, legendary musician Merle Haggard, and hairstyling mogul John Paul DeJoria of John Paul Mitchell Systems.
Although the emissions are drastically lower when burning ethanol, it is a costly operation to keep these bikes functioning.
A more affordable way to reduce your carbon footprint may be to venture toward scooters and electric motorcycles.
Verdugo affirmed that in general, motorcycles release less toxins in the air compared to automobiles.
"If more people were riding motorcycles right now we'd have a lot less pollution," he said. "It makes a big difference."
He recommends people take a good safety course and spend some time learning how to ride before taking a bike into traffic.
"I think most people would find that they really love it, and you're helping the environment at the same time," he said. "It's actually a good thing all around."
So while tequila may not be the most affordable means of fuel, at least it's another step towards finding alternative energy sources.
