E85 Boondoggle of the Day: Nebraska's Parallel E85 Universe
Published: July 3rd, 2009
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From the High Plains Journal:
Nationally, gas prices have risen nearly every day for the past 42 days. Some analysts expect that a return to $100 oil–and $4 gas–isn’t far behind. But Nebraska drivers are already saving money by filling up with E10.
“Nebraska drivers have already saved over $4.5 million in 2009 by buying E10,” said Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “If all the fuel sold in Nebraska in the past five years was E85, Nebraskans would have saved $2.6 billion.”
Or not.
More by Robert Farago
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Do any of the turbocharged cars make good use of the higher octane provide by E85? Building a variable compression ratio engine is extremely hard, but changing the turbocharger characteristics might provide a path towards optimizing the combustion of E85.
John Horner: "Do any of the turbocharged cars make good use of the higher octane provide by E85?" That's really a good question; along with direct injection and VVT, a turbo or supercharger could be set up to wring more efficiency from the stuff. There must be a technical hurdle that we're unaware of. (?)
Do not like. At least its honest in that the pump clearly says the gasoline contains ethanol. It annoys me that a lot of gas stations write it in the smallest print possible, but if I can see it before I fill up, I'll drive to next gas station. Selling E10 gasoline without clearly labeling it as such is one of the most annoying scams I can think of. I refuse to put that crap in my car. These hippies piss me off. More filth is emitted into the environment if it takes more fuel to go the same distance.
As for engines designed to use the (potentially) higher octane of E85: http://news.cnet.com/MIT-engine-boosts-mileage-by-30-percent/2100-11389_3-6129501.html As for the Tesla being fun to drive: go try the Lotus doner vehicle ... sweet stick shift, better handling (lower weight), makes nice vroom vroom sounds, and half the price. If 0-to-jail acceleration times are your cup of tea, the Mercedes C63 AMG is ahead of the Tesla with room for 4 people and luggage and half the price.