# Trash-Fueled Automobiles Peter Eckhoff Invents a Plastic-Powered Hybrid Engine By Holger Mohr | Published 2009-08-09 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peter-eckhoff-engine References: [welt.de](http://www.welt.de/motor/article4207430/) German inventor Peter Eckhoff has created an engine inspired by the movie "Back to the Future." Eckhoff's engine uses empty plastic bottles to power his [VW](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-x-vw-renndienst-idbuzz-bus). Peter Eckhoff's engine was developed in conjunction with Jean-Marie Stankovicc-Gansen and involves a part that can be filled with empty plastic bottles. This part is heated by the car's traditional engine, burning the bottles; the resulting gas is used to help power the engine. Peter Eckhoff's engine saves about 30% more fuel with 125 grams of plastic trash--about 3 bottles per 100 kilometers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Plastic-fueled Automobiles:** There is an opportunity to disrupt the automobile industry by creating engines that are powered by plastic waste, as it could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis - **Hybrid Plastic-fuel Engines:** Developing hybrid engines that use both traditional fuel and plastic waste as a source of energy presents an opportunity for the automotive industry to create sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicles - **Waste-to-energy Technology:** The development of waste-to-energy technology to convert plastic waste into energy for use in various industries, including automotive, could revolutionize the way we deal with plastic waste while creating a new energy source ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive:** The automotive industry can benefit from implementing plastic-fueled or hybrid plastic-fuel engines to create environmentally friendly vehicles - **Energy:** The energy industry can explore waste-to-energy technology to create new sources of energy from plastic waste, reducing dependence on fossil fuels while helping to address the plastic pollution crisis - **Waste Management:** The waste management industry can invest in technologies to efficiently collect, sort, and process plastic waste for use in producing energy or other products, creating a new revenue stream and contributing to a more circular economy ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Plastic Waste Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/igusbike.md) - [Sustainable Truck Modifications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clearflame.md) - [Recycled Material Vehicle Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/akxy2-vehicle.md) - [3D-Printed Filament Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polyformer.md) - [Plant-Based Plastic Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-pet-bottle.md) - [Omni-Fuel Vehicle Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/andrietta-concept-car.md) - [Ocean Plastic-Infused SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ford-bronco-sport.md) - [Plant-Based Beverage Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prototype-pet-bottle.md) - [Gasoline-Producing Prototype Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aircela.md)