02/08/07 Spud tax increase

The nation's first vehicle to run strictly on water and ethanol is in South Dakota this week. That's where FFA member Jason Frerichs of South Dakota State University was introduced to the van that has some innovations developed at the University of Idaho. FRERICHS "A diesel van and they basically pulled out the glow plug and inserted a smart plug. What that smart plug basically creates is, he calls it a catalytic ignition. From there on out it runs on 35 percent water and 65 percent ethanol." Frerichs says the U of I van is a mobile laboratory where fuel efficiency and the like is constantly monitored. FRERICHS "For the fact of the matter when you're 35 percent water we're extending the efficiencies of the ethanol right there and the power output on it is increased up to a 50 percent gain in the actual power that's received from it." Winter in South Dakota begs the question, how does aquanol powered vehicle operate? FRERICHS "Still runs just fine when its cold weather. It's about a 130 proof ethanol mixture when you add the water to it." The collegiate FFA chapter at South Dakota State is getting a first hand look at another University of Idaho alternative fuel vehicle. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott