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Study Addresses Ethanol's Efficiency

August 29, 2005 | 2 Comments

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Sioux Falls, South Dakota [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] The American Coalition for Ethanol released the results of its Fuel Economy Study, which researched the fuel economy, cost per mile, and driveability of various blends of fuel, including unleaded gasoline, E10, E20, and E30.

"As ethanol production and use continues to expand from coast to coast, increased public discussion and media attention have often turned to a debate over ethanol's fuel efficiency," said Ron Lamberty, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) VP. "The bottom line is that, in addition to offering higher performance and lower emissions, ethanol-blended fuel is easier on the pocketbooks of American motorists."

The research tested unleaded gasoline, a 10% ethanol blend (E10), a 20% ethanol blend (E20), and a 30% ethanol blend (E30) in three late-model vehicles. Although the MPG of ethanol blends was slightly lower than the unleaded, the cost per mile of operation was generally lower. Also, the higher the concentrations of ethanol, the lower the cost per mile. Using the study's average MPG, E10 is less expensive per mile than unleaded until ethanol's cost is nearly 30 cents above unleaded.

The study cautioned that motorists should not use fuel with concentrations of ethanol higher than those recommended by the vehicles' manufacturers, but called for more research to determine if those fuels should be approved for use in standard, non flexible fuel vehicles.

"If drivers want to save money at the pump as gas prices reach new record highs, this pilot study confirms that ethanol is the fuel of choice," said Brian Jennings, ACE executive VP.

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2 Reader Comments

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1 of 2

wayne-bostick-35964

August 30, 2005

Ethanol is certainly a viable fuel if used as per reccommendations. It can act as a solvent in older vechicles and plug filters and affect materials.

However, I question its economics if usage increases and people count on grain crops to supply it. Grain prices and governmental taxation (they will get their noses in the trough to "do good"). If other forms of biomass are used and the politicians keep their paws off of it ethanol can certainly be part of the answer.

Comment
2 of 2

fraser-james-38698

September 4, 2005

While production of ethanol from grain can increase considerably over the next few years we will reach the point that there is not enough land to provide both our needs for food and for ethanol.

A study was made by ORNL that ethanol production from cellulose, (the whole corn plant, the whole sugarcane plant, switchgrass, forestry wastes etc.) could provide 30% of our gasoline requirement without affecting our ability to meet the need for our conventional agricultural products.

Cars made after 1996 can burn E10 (gasoline containing 10% ethanol). Older cars need replacement of some rubber and plastic parts in the fuel line before they can burn E10, which is not an expensive retrofit. New alternative energy vehicles that can burn E85 are available from most manufactures at not additional cost and should be required by law.

Brazil is nearly independent of foreign oil and is exporting ethanol. A good example to follow.

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