Top Ten Facts about Ethanol

Builder · Mar 22, 2006

( I'm involved in two ethanol plants and one biodiesel plant. Yes you can call me biased. However, I'll give your our latest reports that go to the government. Ethanol gets a VERY bad rap because nobody in the oil business wants to admit it's a very viable alternative. )

You're so right. I have friends (husband & wife petroleum engineers) that get that "annoyed" look on their face when you talk ethanol or biodiesel. You can just see how brainwashed they are by their own petroleum company managers.

DUMBDOG · Mar 22, 2006

Are we talking about the E85 here or the ten percent blend?

Whenever I fill up with the ten percent blend, my mileage drops about ten to fifteen percent. This happens on my 99 Suburban and my 05 Silverado. Driving conditions will be the same, etc., yet the mileage will drop.

cowboydoc · Mar 22, 2006

There have been 16 different studies done by about every government agency over the last two years on fuel mileage. At most they showed a 1.7% decrease in fuel mileage.

CarlGlas · Mar 22, 2006

I believe that no matter what alternate fuel we use, it will eventually, if not already, fall under government control and the higher the demand for it will result in higher prices.

It's a closely controlled market like diamonds.

Spiffy · Mar 22, 2006

The small decrease cowboydoc notes makes sense, but I am convinced there are some engines (perhaps compression levels, or more likely their computer settings) that don't do well with ethanol blends.

I run 10% ethanol in the Chevy year around; the few times I have compared a full tank of "straight" gasoline I haven't calulated a bit of difference (of course 1.7% would only be a half mpg). Same for almost every other vehicle I've owned. I'd run E85 if it was rated for it.

The Ford however drops a couple mpg; I had it checked out at the Ford dealer, and they said everything is right. So, I only run the blend in the Ford during the winter since I like the anti-freeze characteristics of it.

TiminMN · Mar 22, 2006

I loose less than 10% burning E-85. As ethanol become available at more pumps car manufacturers will "tune" cars to run on ethanol. Saab makes a car that gets better mileage and more horse power on E-85 than gas.

http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/100_news/saab_e85_092004.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11603199/

Railroad · Mar 22, 2006

Consider your source before believing everything you read. Smells a bit like big oil / big business talking to me. Here is the background of the gentleman you quote (James S. White):

Environmental government relations consulting with expertise in matters regarding Gasoline Reformulation Issues

23 years at a major oil company with early retirement... responsibilities in the retail and distribution sectors of the business.

Former Technical ARCO Lobbyist on downstream oil industry issues.

Builder · Mar 22, 2006

All i had to read was "lobbyist", not quite an ubiased source.

Soundguy · Mar 22, 2006

The fact that catle can eat fermented food is rather nice...

Soundguy

CarlGlas · Mar 22, 2006

( Anyone know how much it costs energy wise to produce 1 gal of gasoline ? Drill, pump, haul, refine.....
)

If they only produced 1 gallon, it would cost a lot of money. However, they produce millions of gallons,
so broken down the cost per gallon is considerably less than what we pay at the pump.

I have posted the break down before and it can be located
I believe within this forum.