The team spear headed by engineer Martin Bacon has modified a Rover, which hit over 65mph, breaking the world record for a car run on waste material. The team a part of Teesdale Conservation Volunteers of Durham stripped out the old car and refitted it with a gasifier and filters, which turns waste coffee granules into energy to drive the engine.

The previous gasification-powered speed record — held by some Americans called Beaver Energy was a mere 47mph, fueled by wood pellets. The Coffee Car averaged no less than 66.5mph and was granted a Guinness World Record in return. They work by burning waste coffee granules, which would otherwise end up in landfill, in a very particular way.

Gasification is the process of introducing oxygen and heat to an organic substance, such as coffee beans or tea leaves, to the point where it releases something called "syngas." Syngas is a molecule that contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane and when it burned can power a normal combustion engine just as well as gasoline or diesel.

Gasification and vehicles that run on it are important, because every success using this method brings us closer to more efficient green vehicles. Because the coffee beans become Bio-fuel and The Coffee Car averages a pretty high speed, it’s a great example of the potential in renewable fuel.