Comments on: Most consumers aware of Ethanol http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:05:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Stig http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-210127 The Stig Fri, 28 Jul 2006 21:31:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-210127 E85: pay less, get less. Simple as that. But what Doug (#26) said is correct, to a point: "We need to move in the direction where there will be several types of propulsion systems used in personal vehicles - electric, hybrid, gas, ethanol, diesel, and fuel cells (as that technology becomes feasible). No one technology is going to satisfy all vehicle demands, so let's use as many as we can develop." Let's use as many as we can economically develop and prove ecologically as well as politically sensible. E85: pay less, get less. Simple as that.

But what Doug (#26) said is correct, to a point:

“We need to move in the direction where there will be several types of propulsion systems used in personal vehicles – electric, hybrid, gas, ethanol, diesel, and fuel cells (as that technology becomes feasible). No one technology is going to satisfy all vehicle demands, so let’s use as many as we can develop.”

Let’s use as many as we can economically develop and prove ecologically as well as politically sensible.

]]> By: Doug http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-210047 Doug Fri, 28 Jul 2006 18:16:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-210047 I think a lot of people out there are taking a very narrow view of this issue. E85 is an alternative, not replacement, to gasoline that will help decrease our dependence on imports. The government currently pays farmers NOT to grow corn on millions of acres every year - and has been doing so for years. So the tax money that has been being spent on having farmers not grow corn can now be used to subsidize the cost of ethanol production until the price can come down as efficinecies of scale come into play. Ethanol has the added benefits of being a cleaner burning fule as well as being a renewable fuel source that can currently be made from corn or sugar cane, and with more research we will probably be able to make it economically from many other types of plant matter - much of which is useless to us now: grass clippings, corn stalks, etc. Obviously it cannot replace gasoline overnight, and for that matter it probably never will - but neither will diesel or its variants. Diesel still has a lot of emissions problems to work out, and besides, 99% of diesel fuel is petroleum-based. Now, for all you greasel fans out there bear in mind that there is no way the current vegatable oil supply can support very many vehicles burning it. But that too makes another viable alternative for some. We need to move in the direction where there will be several types of propulsion systems used in personal vehicles - electric, hybrid, gas, ethanol, diesel, and fuel cells (as that technology becomes feasible). No one technology is going to satisfy all vehicle demands, so let's use as many as we can develop. E85 vehicles are available now, and the fuel is available at hundreds of stations, with more locations becoming available almost daily. We have land sitting vacant that could be used to grow corn, so let's do it and begin to chip away at our oil imports before we find ourselves paying $5/gallon for gas. Then that $3/gallon E85 with it's 20% reduction in mileage will be looking pretty good to those of you that think E85 is a mistake. I think a lot of people out there are taking a very narrow view of this issue. E85 is an alternative, not replacement, to gasoline that will help decrease our dependence on imports. The government currently pays farmers NOT to grow corn on millions of acres every year – and has been doing so for years. So the tax money that has been being spent on having farmers not grow corn can now be used to subsidize the cost of ethanol production until the price can come down as efficinecies of scale come into play.

Ethanol has the added benefits of being a cleaner burning fule as well as being a renewable fuel source that can currently be made from corn or sugar cane, and with more research we will probably be able to make it economically from many other types of plant matter – much of which is useless to us now: grass clippings, corn stalks, etc.

Obviously it cannot replace gasoline overnight, and for that matter it probably never will – but neither will diesel or its variants. Diesel still has a lot of emissions problems to work out, and besides, 99% of diesel fuel is petroleum-based. Now, for all you greasel fans out there bear in mind that there is no way the current vegatable oil supply can support very many vehicles burning it. But that too makes another viable alternative for some.

We need to move in the direction where there will be several types of propulsion systems used in personal vehicles – electric, hybrid, gas, ethanol, diesel, and fuel cells (as that technology becomes feasible). No one technology is going to satisfy all vehicle demands, so let’s use as many as we can develop.

E85 vehicles are available now, and the fuel is available at hundreds of stations, with more locations becoming available almost daily. We have land sitting vacant that could be used to grow corn, so let’s do it and begin to chip away at our oil imports before we find ourselves paying $5/gallon for gas. Then that $3/gallon E85 with it’s 20% reduction in mileage will be looking pretty good to those of you that think E85 is a mistake.

]]> By: Renton http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-210021 Renton Fri, 28 Jul 2006 17:22:55 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-210021 #24 --Jae-- If you are into performance then you are not into E85. If you are into 9-3s then you are not into performance. You will be fine. Dead Dinosaur is where it be at. #24 –Jae– If you are into performance then you are not into E85.

If you are into 9-3s then you are not into performance.

You will be fine.

Dead Dinosaur is where it be at.

]]> By: Jae http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209954 Jae Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:44:18 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209954 Gosh, there are a lot of morons posting comments. E85 is a real solution. I'm going to buy an E85 car when a suitable one (9-3) becomes available. Everyone has an agenda. I'm not sure what the agenda is for the anti-E85 types. The biggest problem with E85 is that there are no cool cars that burn it! Gosh, there are a lot of morons posting comments.

E85 is a real solution. I’m going to buy an E85 car when a suitable one (9-3) becomes available.

Everyone has an agenda. I’m not sure what the agenda is for the anti-E85 types.

The biggest problem with E85 is that there are no cool cars that burn it!

]]> By: Renton http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209864 Renton Fri, 28 Jul 2006 12:14:10 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209864 I am fully aware that E85 sucks! Hey US gov't, roll back diesel regs and let us have some proven high mileage tech here. BMW Turbodiesels -- drool......... I am fully aware that E85 sucks!

Hey US gov’t, roll back diesel regs and let us have some proven high mileage tech here.

BMW Turbodiesels — drool………

]]> By: What Ever http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209845 What Ever Fri, 28 Jul 2006 11:02:48 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209845 Anyone who knows anything knows that diesel is the right direction once the particulates have been reduced significantly or eliminated. E85 is misdirection, attempting to take the spotlight off the oil companies by making them look greener and to pacify the consumer at the pump. Anyone who knows anything knows that diesel is the right direction once the particulates have been reduced significantly or eliminated. E85 is misdirection, attempting to take the spotlight off the oil companies by making them look greener and to pacify the consumer at the pump.

]]> By: Downtown Outline Point http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209764 Downtown Outline Point Fri, 28 Jul 2006 03:02:32 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209764 I know whats E-85 means, but that "85" part to me means 85% reduction in fuel economy of the vehicle. :-) I know whats E-85 means, but that “85″ part to me means 85% reduction in fuel economy of the vehicle. :-)

]]> By: Bryan Detty http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209762 Bryan Detty Fri, 28 Jul 2006 02:51:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209762 I would rather them use E-85 for something like the Solstice GXP because E-85 is 105+ octane and would work really good on a boosted car. Atleast I think that it would. I could be wrong. I would rather them use E-85 for something like the Solstice GXP because E-85 is 105+ octane and would work really good on a boosted car. Atleast I think that it would. I could be wrong.

]]> By: Downtown Outline Point http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209752 Downtown Outline Point Fri, 28 Jul 2006 02:20:26 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209752 E-85 is a waste of time. Yeah, good for environment but its way too expensive. PLUS.... the MPG is even WORSE than gasoline car's MPG. I.E.> A gas-only Chevy Silverardo has like 16/19 mpg. With E-85, its 11/15 mpg. How does that help us? Thats more trips to the stations in a week than with gasoline. They've got a looooong way to improve it. E-85 is a waste of time. Yeah, good for environment but its way too expensive. PLUS…. the MPG is even WORSE than gasoline car’s MPG.

I.E.> A gas-only Chevy Silverardo has like 16/19 mpg. With E-85, its 11/15 mpg. How does that help us? Thats more trips to the stations in a week than with gasoline.

They’ve got a looooong way to improve it.

]]> By: Goose http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209749 Goose Fri, 28 Jul 2006 01:59:26 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209749 If it wasn`t for the damn Chinese & Indians we could keep driving without all these hassles....gotta blame someone. If it wasn`t for the damn Chinese & Indians we could keep driving without all these hassles….gotta blame someone.

]]> By: The Stig http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209638 The Stig Thu, 27 Jul 2006 22:49:32 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209638 Judging by the number of DUIs issued in this country, I'd support the premise that most consumers are aware of ethanol and its effects. Judging by the number of DUIs issued in this country, I’d support the premise that most consumers are aware of ethanol and its effects.

]]> By: pj http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209586 pj Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:19:14 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209586 all i know is from what i hear in the 70s they said fuel would run out by the year 2000 in the 80s they said fuel wont run out for at least 10,000 years at the rate of increase of drivers now their telling us it will run out again they do this hocus pocus to raise prices and have less complaining all i know is from what i hear in the 70s they said fuel would run out by the year 2000 in the 80s they said fuel wont run out for at least 10,000 years at the rate of increase of drivers now their telling us it will run out again they do this hocus pocus to raise prices and have less complaining

]]> By: Bryan Detty http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209556 Bryan Detty Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:41:28 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209556 Right now E-85 is mainly in the Mid West. I know Krogers is going to start selling E-85 at all of it's gas stations starting in Columbus, OH. Ethanol comes out of anything that is vegitation like Surgar Cane, Corn, Wheat, Soy. It is easy to get it out of Surgar Cane. But Corn is a viable source for America. Give it time it will become cheaper. Do you think Millionares are just going to throw money away? Bill Gates invested $84 Million into Pacific Ethanol. They just started to make Ethanol in bulk for fuel. Give it a year or two and they will make it cheaper. Right now E-85 is mainly in the Mid West. I know Krogers is going to start selling E-85 at all of it’s gas stations starting in Columbus, OH.

Ethanol comes out of anything that is vegitation like Surgar Cane, Corn, Wheat, Soy. It is easy to get it out of Surgar Cane. But Corn is a viable source for America. Give it time it will become cheaper. Do you think Millionares are just going to throw money away? Bill Gates invested $84 Million into Pacific Ethanol.

They just started to make Ethanol in bulk for fuel. Give it a year or two and they will make it cheaper.

]]> By: ooodaddy http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209555 ooodaddy Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:39:43 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209555 Most of these stars-n-stripes T-shirt types don't know that if EVERY inch of tillable land was converted into only corn - and no cheating! NO Corn Flakes! - for E85, we'd have about 15% of the fuel we'd need to fill up all those new Chargers and Camaros they want. It's the same slight-of-hand when Bozo said; "Weapons of Mass Distruction!" #10 proves my point. j i m Most of these stars-n-stripes T-shirt types don’t know that if EVERY inch of tillable land was converted into only corn – and no cheating! NO Corn Flakes! – for E85, we’d have about 15% of the fuel we’d need to fill up all those new Chargers and Camaros they want. It’s the same slight-of-hand when Bozo said; “Weapons of Mass Distruction!”

#10 proves my point.

j i m

]]> By: JW http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209534 JW Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:07:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209534 I'm in the younger group too, and I am aware, and I hope my next vehicle has Flex-Fuel compatabilities. BUT where the heck do you buy E85? I’m in the younger group too, and I am aware, and I hope my next vehicle has Flex-Fuel compatabilities. BUT where the heck do you buy E85?

]]> By: 1234 http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209533 1234 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:04:27 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209533 Very few people have ever used it but plenty of people have heard of E-85 cause GM and the big Ag companies (who stand to make a mint off that stuff in gov subsidies) spend millions of dollars for ad campaigns and pay off clueless Dubya to endorse it. E-85 is a very red herring that only a politician with money in his/her pocket from ADM could love. #5 - your on the money about the decreased efficiency of E-85 and the promise of biodiesel - which can be made from a huge variety of feedstocks and will power diesel engines which are vastly more efficient than gasoline/E-85 to begin with. Once again Europe is way ahead of the shortsighted US and are building biodiesel plants like mad. I guess bad ideas like E-85 are what we can expect to have our tax dollars spent on when government decisions are completely dictated by whoever can pony up the most money to the bought and paid for US politicians... Very few people have ever used it but plenty of people have heard of E-85 cause GM and the big Ag companies (who stand to make a mint off that stuff in gov subsidies) spend millions of dollars for ad campaigns and pay off clueless Dubya to endorse it. E-85 is a very red herring that only a politician with money in his/her pocket from ADM could love.

#5 – your on the money about the decreased efficiency of E-85 and the promise of biodiesel – which can be made from a huge variety of feedstocks and will power diesel engines which are vastly more efficient than gasoline/E-85 to begin with. Once again Europe is way ahead of the shortsighted US and are building biodiesel plants like mad.

I guess bad ideas like E-85 are what we can expect to have our tax dollars spent on when government decisions are completely dictated by whoever can pony up the most money to the bought and paid for US politicians…

]]> By: Mike http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209532 Mike Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:59:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209532 the same farmers that are being paid NOT to use all their useable land? the same farmers that are being paid NOT to use all their useable land?

]]> By: ooodaddy http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209497 ooodaddy Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:34:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209497 ethanol is hocus pocus it is subsidized by the federal govt. to the tune of 4.00 dollars a gallon the fiscally prudent republicans use it as welfare to get the farm vote you see the farmers are on welfare too. ethanol is hocus pocus it is subsidized by the federal
govt. to the tune of 4.00 dollars a gallon the fiscally prudent republicans use it as welfare to get the farm vote you see the farmers are on welfare too.

]]> By: NotGMrules http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209493 NotGMrules Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:31:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209493 Live green, go yellow baby! Another winning formula by General Motors. Consumers should be flooding the GM dealers to get their hands on a fine GM vehicle that runs on E85. Live green, go yellow baby! Another winning formula by General Motors. Consumers should be flooding the GM dealers to get their hands on a fine GM vehicle that runs on E85.

]]> By: Karl http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209470 Karl Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:14:26 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209470 That's all fine and good about 1/2 want it half don't but there's one big problem with E85. It costs slightly less than regular 87 octane, but the gas mileage is 25% or so less, the end result, you're paying 17% more. Is it worth it to stick it to OPEC? What needs to happen is there needs to be a serious demand for reasonably efficient vehicles from the manufacturers. Then when cars are getting a minimum 40 mpg at the absolute worst, we can make a dent using E85 and bio other biofuels. As far as I know, Biodiesel is actually very similar in mpg regular diesel. What I don't understand, the few places where biodiesel is available, is if some guy can home brew the stuff for $0.50 per gallon, why does it cost $3.00 at the pump? (aside from profit, which I don't have a problem with reasonable profit. Taxes on the other hand...) I hope by November or so, I'll have my greasel vehicle all set for it's experimental run. Greasel isn't a new idea or anything, but I want to try it out and for me, it'll only take nine months to show a return on my investment, give or take a few weeks, unless of course, fuel gets significantly more expensive. That’s all fine and good about 1/2 want it half don’t but there’s one big problem with E85.
It costs slightly less than regular 87 octane, but the gas mileage is 25% or so less, the end result, you’re paying 17% more.
Is it worth it to stick it to OPEC?
What needs to happen is there needs to be a serious demand for reasonably efficient vehicles from the manufacturers. Then when cars are getting a minimum 40 mpg at the absolute worst, we can make a dent using E85 and bio other biofuels. As far as I know, Biodiesel is actually very similar in mpg regular diesel.
What I don’t understand, the few places where biodiesel is available, is if some guy can home brew the stuff for $0.50 per gallon, why does it cost $3.00 at the pump? (aside from profit, which I don’t have a problem with reasonable profit. Taxes on the other hand…)

I hope by November or so, I’ll have my greasel vehicle all set for it’s experimental run. Greasel isn’t a new idea or anything, but I want to try it out and for me, it’ll only take nine months to show a return on my investment, give or take a few weeks, unless of course, fuel gets significantly more expensive.

]]> By: Mike http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209434 Mike Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:42:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209434 the younger generation is wise enough to know that ethanol and gas-electric hybrid are just band-aids. Bio is the key. the younger generation is wise enough to know that ethanol and gas-electric hybrid are just band-aids.

Bio is the key.

]]> By: Bush http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209426 Bush Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:34:41 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209426 There isn't enough land to grow enough corn to make significant change anyway. There isn’t enough land to grow enough corn to make significant change anyway.

]]> By: Peter http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209425 Peter Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:34:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209425 You're probably in that younger age group, PJ, like me. I don't care much either. You’re probably in that younger age group, PJ, like me.
I don’t care much either.

]]> By: pj http://www.leftlanenews.com/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol.html#comment-209409 pj Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:11:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/27/most-consumers-aware-of-ethanol/#comment-209409 who cares who cares

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