Part of the issue here is our legacy fuel system. Our gas stations are set up like they were in the 50's. Gas is no longer just gas. There are multiple variations and combinations of fuel and additives that could be available. But a retailer can only afford one set of pumps in most cases, producing the standard 3 options that are in most demand (reg, mid, high octane), and occasionally an odd pump for diesel. If they must sell Ethanol blends, then Ethanol is the only option since they can't afford the price or the space for a full second set of pumps and tanks for non-ethanol. I would love to see a new pump and tank system that mixed at the pump, including Ethanol. That would let everyone have easy access to more flavors of fuel and additives as they chose. turn the dial to your preferred blend, and pump away!
15% ethanol!?!?
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ultrarunner
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If the EPA has the ability to mandate a ethanol blend they can surely mandate a non-ethanol blend... pure and simple but for some reason they don't causing untold financial and safety hardships for millions...
My only issue is that corn really isn't the best to use for ethanol production. If you want to talk efficiency we would be a lot better off with switch grass. Corn was chosen because the infrastructure was already there.
Copperhead
Veteran Member
that is somewhat true. But there are a lot of other products that come from the production of ethanol from corn. It is the most efficient way to get those products. The common misperception is that when a kernel of corn is dedicated to ethanol production, that is all that comes out the other end. Ethanol is just one of many products that come out of ethanol plants. Major biofuels setups like the Blair biofuels complex in Blair, NE that I deal with on a regular basis produces a wide array of products from the corn that goes in there. Plastics, high protein feed supplements, corn oil, and other products also come out of ethanol production.
The same cannot be said of switch grass and such. Ford850 nailed the problem pretty good. It is impractical for many retailers to have arrays of tanks for storing every fuel that is available, so they have to limit what they have. There has been a push lately to have more retailers install blender pumps in many locations to offer what was mentioned... consumer could select the fuel they want and that pump dispenses it. From ethanol free right on up thru E85.
The same cannot be said of switch grass and such. Ford850 nailed the problem pretty good. It is impractical for many retailers to have arrays of tanks for storing every fuel that is available, so they have to limit what they have. There has been a push lately to have more retailers install blender pumps in many locations to offer what was mentioned... consumer could select the fuel they want and that pump dispenses it. From ethanol free right on up thru E85.
Copperhead
Veteran Member
Came across this. I have stated several times that it is the states that primarily determine if one can get ethanol free. Some have essentially told me I was full of it. Well, here is a current map of the fuel requirements across the nation. That vast majority is in white, which means ethanol free can be sold with no restriction.
ultrarunner
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And that is my issues living in the SF Bay Area...
Saw plenty of stations in the Washington advertising ethanol free... don't know of a single one in the SF Bay Area.
Saw plenty of stations in the Washington advertising ethanol free... don't know of a single one in the SF Bay Area.
versysrider
New member
SeaFoam seems to work for me, too.
czechsonofagun
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ultrarunner
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^^^I keep checking the list and nothing anywhere near the SF Bay Area... looks like the powers that be want to keep it this way.
DarkBlack
Elite Member
No need to make undesirable ethanol. The're actually pre-producing winter gas already just to keep the oil refiners busy using up stock.
