The Auto Industry in America: Florida

Exciting things are happening in Florida by way of alternative fuel. Keep reading!

The Auto Industry in America is a Carmoza series highlighting the history of the auto industry in each state and their contributions to the industry as a whole over the years.

FLORIDA

QUICK FACTS

- Located in the Southeastern United States, Florida is known for its warm weather and tourist attractions.
- It was admitted as the 27th state after hundreds of years of exploration and colonization.
- The Sunshine State has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States that extends into the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Florida is a prime target for hurricanes every summer.
- It is also home to the Everglades National Park and many animal species, including alligators and leatherback sea turtles.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN FLORIDA

Florida hasn't been a main player in the world of automobile manufacturing, but there've been some auto-related development recently of special interest.

Agri-Source Fuels bought an unused orange juice production plant from Pasco Beverage and has converted it into what will be the nation’s largest production facility for biodiesel.

The alternative fuel will be made from chicken fat and cottonseed oil and converted into as much as 125 million gallons of biodiesel per year.

Agri-Source plans to sell off their product to petroleum distributors, who will in turn blend the biofuel with conventional diesel, making diesel fuel cleaner burning and safer for the environment as well as allowing diesel fuel reserves to last longer than previously possible.

PHOTO CREDIT: Weblantis.org