Coffee-Powered Car Hits 105km/h Using Bean Waste

With fuel prices set to rise again after Lantern Festival, drivers might be eyeing alternatives—some weirder than others. Forget poop-powered cars; the latest experiment involves a classic American truck running on a surprising coffee byproduct. But can coffee really fuel a vehicle? The answer lies in what’s left behind after brewing.

Yes, a coffee-fueled car hit 65 miles per hour (about 105 kilometers per hour) using a special Bean Machine engine. That makes it the fastest coffee-fueled vehicle recorded so far. The test took place at an event hosted by UK food retailer Co-operative Food, proving that coffee waste can indeed power high-speed transport—at least in prototype form.

What Is Coffee Fuel, Really?

When we say ‘coffee fuel,’ we’re not talking about brewed coffee poured into a gas tank. The actual fuel comes from a coffee production byproduct—similar to how rice produces chaff. This leftover material, when heated, breaks down into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Both gases are combustible, meaning they can theoretically fuel an engine. But this isn’t as simple as dumping coffee grounds into your car.

The Coffee Car That Broke the Record

The record-breaking vehicle was a Ford F100 pickup truck, retrofitted with a Bean Machine engine. During the event organized by Co-operative Food, it achieved a top speed of 65 mph (approximately 105 km/h). This feat earned it the title of the fastest coffee-fueled car to date. The project showcases the potential of coffee waste as an alternative energy source, though it’s still far from everyday use.

How Coffee Byproducts Become Fuel

The process starts with a byproduct of coffee production—not the roasted beans you grind for espresso, but a secondary material created during processing. When this material is heated, it decomposes into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These gases are both flammable and can be used to power an internal combustion engine. However, extracting and refining these gases efficiently remains a complex challenge. The Bean Machine engine is an experimental setup designed to harness this potential, but it’s not yet a practical solution for daily commuting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is coffee fuel made from?

Coffee fuel is made from a byproduct of coffee production, not brewed coffee. It’s a leftover material similar to rice chaff, which, when heated, decomposes into hydrogen and carbon monoxide—both of which are flammable and can power an engine.

How fast did the coffee-fueled car go?

The coffee-fueled Ford F100 pickup reached a top speed of 65 miles per hour (approximately 105 kilometers per hour), setting the record for the fastest coffee-fueled vehicle.

Where did the coffee fuel experiment take place?

The experiment was conducted at an event hosted by the UK food company Co-operative Food, where the modified Ford F100 was demonstrated.

Is coffee fuel ready for everyday use?

No, coffee fuel is still an experimental technology. While it can power a vehicle, the process of extracting and using coffee byproduct gases is complex and not yet practical for daily commuting or commercial use.

What engine was used in the coffee car?

The car was equipped with a specially designed Bean Machine engine, built to run on the gases produced from heating coffee production byproducts.

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