Although a hybrid driver, I had thought that E85 seemed also to be a good idea, but lately I'm starting to change my mind.
First, a recent article on MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17842304
that says that flex-fuel vehicles have actually caused more gasoline to be burned because these vehicles are allowed to bypass fuel efficiency standards. Hundreds of thousands of less efficient flex fuel vehicles are being manufactured and since hardly anyone uses E85, they just burn more gas.
But then more Ethanol production is on the way, good news, or is it. Another article saying a huge amount of corn will be planted due to the huge increase in Ethanol production coming. But costs are still expected to rise across a number of products because of the demand. Ok, maybe spending a bit more money on food is worth it if that means burning less gasoline.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17870172/
Then last night while watching a show concerning climate change, they had a segment that was saying that Ethanol and other Biofuels actually put more CO2 in the air then burning gasoline, and that following thru with a wholesale switch to Ethanol will greatly increase the rate at which CO2 is building up in the atmosphere quickening climate changes. Good luck trying to grow corn if the climate continues to change...
They also said these fuels produce more ozone causing pollution as well. Their point was that Ethanol is a nightmare and the true solution lies with continued development of electric or hydrogen powered vehicles. (Of course they took the time for a quick shot of the lead scientist guy driving his Prius).