Quote:
Originally Posted by DougD
Not sure if these points have already come up in this thread:
Yes, E85 is cheaper, even after factoring in lower mileage.
But it's not scalable (increased demand for corn is already causing cheap-tortilla shortages in Mexico, for chrissake, and that's with virtually no demand for the stuff here yet).
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Correct wrt scalability. But keep in mind, as interest in FlexFuel grows, so does interest and investment in producing it from different feedstocks, like cornsilk and switchgrass. In Brazil, cars run on E100 made from sugar cane. I would venture that early in the process, there may have been a run on sugar prices, but things are apparently very stable now. That demonstrates two key points....1) E85 does not have to equal corn. 2) When supply meets demand, prices stabilize.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougD
And it WILL void your warranty if you run it in a vehicle whose owners manual only allows up to E15. ....
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So don't do that!! There are many vehicles being manufactured that are capable of running on E85. For those vehicles, operating with E85 100% of the time WILL NOT VOID THE WARRANTY! The engine and fuel systems were designed to handle it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougD
Maybe my imagination is too limited, but I just can't imagine it being a good idea.
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It is not a silver bullet, but it is still a very good idea if the goal is reduced dependence on foreign oil supplies and a consumer alternative to increased oil prices. As gpsman1 has pointed out, E85 costs less to produce than E10 and is TYPICALLY priced lower. I've seen some gas stations who artificially price 20 cents below E10, no matter what E10 is priced at. But if you figure that sensitivity to fluctuations in petroleum pricing only has a 15% impact on each gallon, pricing for E85 should be lower than and much more stable than pricing for E10.
The great thing is, FlexFuel compatability is a $0 cost option for the vehicle. GM, Ford, and Chrysler all eat the cost of equipping a vehicle to be FlexFuel ready.
Peace,
Martin
I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues
I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues
I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues