A Mercedes-Benz with an Elsbett engine runs on new and used cooking oil.
Senator Charles McDonald from Ballyroan in County Laois drives a Mercedes-Benz fitted with an Elsbett engine. The engine, invented by Ludwig Elsbett, is a 1.4 litre three-cylinder diesel engine. However, it lacks conventional cooling elements such as fans, radiators, and water pumps.
An environmentalist's dream, the Elsbett engine runs on cooking oil or vegetable oil. Gay Byrne pours a bottle of Crisp 'N Dry cooking oil into the fuel tank, which is more commonly used
For making the chips.
Not only does the engine take new oil, but it also runs on used oil. Senator Charles McDonald sources used oil from Dinos chip shop in Bishopstown, County Cork. The engine gives 18 to 20 miles per litre, and to get from Bishopstown to the RTÉ studio in Dublin took 2.5 gallons.
Senator Charles McDonald believes the car's environmental impact will appeal to many drivers.
This episode of 'The Late Late Show' was broadcast on 15 February 1991.
