E85 Boondoggle of the Day: HUMMER H2 for You?

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

No, obviously. Nor anyone else, apparently. Now that GM is spending more time trying to sell the HUMMER brand than the HUMMER brand’s products, there’s not much on the product news front. But there is something. “The iconic HUMMER H2 is known for going where no other four wheel drive will venture,” a GM press release proclaims [ via Huliq News]. “The model breaks new boundaries for 2009 with standard E85 Flexpower capability on every H2 sold, making it the only model of its kind with can run on E85 ethanol.” Now there’s a claim. And just in case you thought boasting that your planet-killer poster child can run on a corn-based bio-fuel boondoggle that even tree-hugger’s have scorned, GM PR wants you to know… nothing much. About that, anyway. “Ethanol is an alcohol which can be distilled from a number of sources, ranging from renewable crops such as sugar cane, to biomass or waste materials. Particular emphasis is being paid to the need to utilize sources that do not affect the price of third-world food commodities. For example, GM is the leading automotive investor in developing E85 ethanol made from waste wood collected as part of forest wildfire prevention programmes. Undergrowth and dead trees that would otherwise be burned are converted into the ethanol.” Oh, OK, then. But GM is now trying to play-up the “E85 is cleaner for the air” arguement, which has never been properly verified. “In addition to reducing dependence on non-renewable petroleum resources, E85 ethanol helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can reduce smog-forming carbon exhaust emissions.” H2 reucing greenhouse gasses? Talk about beating a dead horse.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Jaje Jaje on Sep 11, 2008

    Ah the community outreach project sponsored by Hummer and e85 industry where Hummer e85 owners now get an excellent chance to more frequently visit their community gas stations.

  • Davey49 Davey49 on Sep 11, 2008

    If the H3 Alpha was E85 and I had the money I might go buy one. I'll park it next to my Dodge Nitro.

  • R H R H on Sep 11, 2008

    Hannah, everyone has their own reasons for liking/disliking them...I guess I disliked them for the wrong reason, heh.

  • Will_F Will_F on Sep 11, 2008

    The reason GM makes ANY cars E85 compatible is because of the way CAFE fuel economy regulations are written. If GM makes them E85 compatible, it doesn't have to count the entirety of their terrible mileage in fleet mileage numbers. Never mind that there are almost no E85 stations in the country...

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