Heard about BioWilly?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
Ethanol is great for the corn producers, but the one thing I'm afraid of is that Corn will stay cheap, Ethanol price will increase. Just like the oil companies making billions in profit. Buy cheap corn and make an expensive product. I have a flex fuel explorer and used ethanol for a while, but in the end I actually lost money. I filled up more often and had worse MPG. I usually get a consistant 18 MPG with my 4.0L and I was down to 10 once. Plus, where I bought ethanol, it was only 20 cents cheaper per gallon than unleaded. Ethanol has to be significantly cheaper per gallon in order to be more efficient.
If the price of corn goes up and so does the price of corn based food and other products, it shouldn't be that much. If you have to pay too much for fuel to commute to work, you won't be able to afford food anyway. Also, we should not have to depend of Mideast oil.
If the price of corn goes up and so does the price of corn based food and other products, it shouldn't be that much. If you have to pay too much for fuel to commute to work, you won't be able to afford food anyway. Also, we should not have to depend of Mideast oil.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Your results were uncommon. Most people report much better results.
Point is, corn is not the best or the only crop for making ethanol. This has to be done on a very large scale for it to be truly economical.
Brazil is not a big oil producer but they are energy independent now. They are all E85 and they make their ethanol mostly from sugar cane, grown for the purpose. OPEC means nothing to them.
Point is, corn is not the best or the only crop for making ethanol. This has to be done on a very large scale for it to be truly economical.
Brazil is not a big oil producer but they are energy independent now. They are all E85 and they make their ethanol mostly from sugar cane, grown for the purpose. OPEC means nothing to them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
I averaged between 12 and 14 with ethanol. The 10 mpg reading was going down the interstate against some wind. But, still I used ethanol for a week and then unleaded and based on the small difference in Price between the two, it still was actually more efficient to run on unleaded. Same driving habits between the two. If ethanol is significantly cheaper, it would be more efficient as far as savings.
And yes, corn is not the only crop to produce ethanol, but it is a large portion for the US. I would really like for the US to be energy independant.
And yes, corn is not the only crop to produce ethanol, but it is a large portion for the US. I would really like for the US to be energy independant.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Bdox
You need to do a lot more research. Start by checking out the alternative fuels forum.
Alcohol is great for racecars and MAY be used in the family grocery-getter...someday (years, not months away) as the dominant fuel, but not soon by any means (in my never-to-be-humble opinion).
Using corn to make fuel ethanol is the intellectual equal to pouring milk in your gas tank.
Alcohol from biomass hasn't been proven.
Last edited by MuddyAxles; Jan 19, 2007 at 07:55 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
even in E85, ethanol cannot be shipped through the country's petroleum pipe line system because it absorbs water and corrodes the pipes. there is no ethanol pipe line anywhere in the world. ethanol is currently shipped via truck or rail car. this adds to the overall cost at the pump.
E85 produces approximately 25% percent less fuel economy.
E85 produces approximately 25% percent less fuel economy.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
No Panacea
[QUOTE=Bdox]
Dude, I've been following this for 30 years, the last 15 from a sustainable agriculture perspective. I didn't say I knew it all, just enough to know it ain't no panacea, for now at least. (panacea = There's a fifty-cent word for ya!
)
My biggest beef is that we are not using all the resources at our disposal, both natural and recyclable, due to political sensitivities rather than for practical reasons.
Y'know, most of the loudmouths who chatter on all the time about this stuff (not us but the politicians and celebs) FLY every ding-dang place they go. What other form of transportation takes more resources than flying? I rest my case.
Originally Posted by MuddyAxles
I don't need to do ANY research at all.
Wow, it must be great to be born knowing everything.
Wow, it must be great to be born knowing everything.
Dude, I've been following this for 30 years, the last 15 from a sustainable agriculture perspective. I didn't say I knew it all, just enough to know it ain't no panacea, for now at least. (panacea = There's a fifty-cent word for ya!
)My biggest beef is that we are not using all the resources at our disposal, both natural and recyclable, due to political sensitivities rather than for practical reasons.
Y'know, most of the loudmouths who chatter on all the time about this stuff (not us but the politicians and celebs) FLY every ding-dang place they go. What other form of transportation takes more resources than flying? I rest my case.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
You'd best rest your case, it's tired. "Dude."
The element that is missing in the alternative fuel arena is political will. Sensible leadership and public support could make us energy independent in a couple of decades.
The element that is missing in the alternative fuel arena is political will. Sensible leadership and public support could make us energy independent in a couple of decades.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
