Tyson Jerry
 |
Tyson Jerry | |
|---|---|
 Tyson Jerry in 2010 with the Guinness World Record breaking Mitsubishi Delica | |
| Born | October 23, 1983 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Specialist in alternative energy & transportation, speaker, photographer |
| Website | www |
Tyson Jerry (born October 23, 1983) is a Canadian Guinness World Record holder, speaker, and photographer best known for his advocacy of alternative energy and sustainable transportation. He holds the Guinness record for the longest journey by car using alternative fuel, set during a 2009–2010 expedition.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Jerry was born in Orangeville, Ontario, and raised in Wyevale.[2] He attended Wyevale Central Public School before graduating from Elmvale District High School. To support his post-secondary studies, he worked in silviculture, planting more than 600,000 trees and overseeing the planting of another 5 million.[3] He went on to earn diplomas in Ecosystem Management Technology and Natural Resources Law Enforcement (Environmental Law) from Fleming College.
First attempt (2008)
[edit]On October 1, 2008, Jerry and a partner launched Driven to Sustain, a non-profit campaign in partnership with the Sierra Club of British Columbia and Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment.[4] Their goal was to break the record for the longest journey by car on alternative fuel. Driving a 1993 Mitsubishi Delica converted to run on biodiesel and waste vegetable oil (WVO), they traversed northern Canada, Alaska, and the eastern United States.
After covering 19,697 kilometers (12,239 miles), the expedition ended near Columbia, South Carolina, on December 16, 2008, when the van’s timing belt failed. Despite the setback, this initial foray demonstrated the viability of alternative fuels for extensive road travel.[5]
Guinness World Record journey (2009–2010)
[edit]Following extensive repairs, Jerry relaunched his effort on November 15, 2009, again from South Carolina. Over several months, he traveled across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, collecting biodiesel and waste vegetable oil from local businesses.
On May 4, 2010, Jerry arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia, having driven 48,535.5 kilometers (30,158.5 miles)—surpassing the previous Guinness World Record by more than 10,000 kilometers.[1][6] Along the way, he spoke at schools and engaged with community groups to promote low-carbon transportation.[7]
His journey garnered significant media attention, highlighting the potential of alternative fuels.[8][9]
Career highlights
[edit]Jerry’s professional pursuits center on developing low-carbon solutions for commercial fleets. Before moving into the energy sector, he worked in forestry management and consulted in sales and marketing. In 2016, he joined a provincial gas utility, later transitioning into a managerial role overseeing hydrogen infrastructure and investment.[10]
Impact and advocacy
[edit]Jerry’s Driven to Sustain campaign brought environmental education to thousands of students, and his Guinness World Record journey remains a testament to the potential of alternative fuels. Through his ongoing roles in hydrogen and renewable gas projects, he continues to champion sustainable transportation and inspire broader adoption of low-carbon solutions.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Longest journey by car using alternative fuel". Guinness World Records. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ Loriggio, Paola (November 25, 2008). "Van powered by vegetable oil". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ Loriggio, Paola (November 25, 2008). "Van powered by vegetable oil". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ Gervais, Raymond (December 3, 2008). "Rouler à l'huile de friture". La Presse (in French). Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ "A road trip unlike any other". CTV News Edmonton. May 4, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ Fortey, Laura (May 5, 2010). "Veggie mobile cruises back into town". Metro. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ Van Der Veen, Joel (April 10, 2010). "Veggie-powered van stops for students". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ Sandoval, Edgar (March 23, 2010). "Canadian duo sets Guinness World Record for miles driven in van powered by vegetable oil". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ "Veggie-oil-fuelled van rolls into Ottawa". CBC News. April 10, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ "Brand Story to Watch: Tyson Jerry's Next World Record". Reimagine PR. May 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2025.