E85 Boondoggle of the Day: TTAC Prius Driver Says Ethanol Sucks
From menno: “My Prius is now down to about 30 miles per gallon on E10 (real MPG, not on the computer – it’s showing 38.5 mpg). 130 miles on the trip meter and over 4 gallons used – you do the math. Just for the sake of comparison, before the loss of real gasoline, I was averaging 44 mpg (real calculations and on the car computer) in the winter, and about 50 in spring and fall, and 48 in the summer. This was with both the 2005 Prius and the 2008, over 48,000 miles on the 2005 and now having 21,000 miles on the 2008. Don’t know if the continuous E10 has made the difference between the computer MPG and calculated MPG, but there is essentially no point in having a Prius anymore. The Prius sucks ethanol tainted fuel like a drunk at a free bar. My wife’s (way) less expensive to buy, more comfortable, zoomier, roomier and nicer Sonata averages MPG in the low-mid 20’s in the winter, 26-27 in spring, summer and fall, and did 32.2 mpg on a 5000 mile trip on expressways and in mountains. As soon as gas prices hit $3.00 a gallon I’m putting the Prius up for sale. Recently, the last gas stations in the area stopped selling 100% gasoline (it was BP). The resulting MPG loss was immediate.” And he’s not the only one who’s turning his back on E10…
“The newly-reopened Rhoades’ Service Center on Western Avenue in Albany started advertising 100% ethanol-free gasoline on Tuesday,” Fox23 reports. “The gas station is one of a handful in the Capital Region that is offering fuel that doesn’t contain the environmentally-friendly additive. Station staffer Bob Haines tells us, ‘We know a lot of people involved with motor sports and using small engines for their businesses (landscapers, snow plowers, and whatnot) and that’s why we went ethanol-free.'”
But what if car drivers like menno start showing interest in ethanol-free fuel? Could this become a trend? If so, it would be a nail gun rat-a-tat-tatting on E85’s grave. On second thought nah. One should never underestimate the power of political correctness and special interest lobbying. If it gets big enough, the state’s will simply ban it for cars. Done.
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Several weeks ago I wrote here that Shell premium, marketed as V-Power, is advertised as ethanol-free. Presumably Shell sells sufficient ethanol-contaminated regular and mid-grade to achieve the required Ontario 10-percent average. Shortly thereafter I noticed the signs advertising Shell premium's ethanol-free formulation have been removed. Shell assured me in an e-mail its premium grade gasoline is still ethanol free. Ominously, no explanation for the signs disappearing was offered.
Answer this: I have to go out of my way, but sometimes fill my Trailblazer with E20 at a blender pump. I get the EXACT same mileage as when I fill with E10. The last test was a 300 mile trip with E20 going and E10 coming back the same route. npbheights comment "It is almost as if the ten percent ethanol has absolutely no energy content because I am getting about 10% fewer miles to the gallon with it." can't possibly be fact. Also, my 1999 Honda Jet Ski runs great on E10 and always has. Fritz said 'I agree that as a country we need to move away from gasoline dependent locomotion. It is a national security and balance of trade nightmare.' Ethanol is here and now. We all may have to make small concessions toward gaining energy independence and national security. Please do your part.