In a rather roundabout manner, I have been introduced to an alternative fuel source which is quietly growing in popularity.
Recently, due to some rather unfortunate circumstances detailed in a previous blog (my work car got wiped out by an uninsured drunk driver), I had to sell my beloved "commuter" car. It was a '98 Mustang GT, 5-speed manual, 4.6L V8.... God, that car was a blast. Anywho, I sold it because I need a small pickup to fill in for the duties of the now-defunct 1980 Bobcat, which by now is in cube form in a wrecking yard.
My search for a small pickup led me to two pretty favorable choices, either a Ford Ranger or a Toyota Tacoma. And while researching the Ford, I found something which, well, I think is pretty reassuring. It is possible to get a Ford Ranger with a 3.0L Flex-Fuel V6. Now, the Flex-Fuel engine, which is offered on many vehicles by Ford, GM and other carmakers, runs on both conventional gasoline and E85, an ethanol-gasoline blended in a ratio of 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline. From what I've read, E85 is a great alternate fuel source. Check out E85 here:
http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/faq.php
It's renewable and can be had at pretty much no extra cost to the vehicle (whereas you would pay a premium for a hybrid or diesel powertrain). By far, one of the most attractive features of E85 is its cleanliness (in terms of emissions) versus regular gasoline. There is also a greater push towards E85 these days (perhaps some have seen the commercials on television... GM is pushing it pretty hard). In conjunction with biodiesel (also discussed by another member of ProgressiveU [I think it was debatechick] on this website ) in larger trucks, Americans have at their disposal two means of both reducing negative impact of motor vehicles on the environment, and weaning America off of foreign oil dependency. While it may take a while for these fuel sources to become more mainstream, I feel somewhat optimistic knowing that alternative fuel sources are available and increasing in popularity. Oh and if you want some info on biodiesel, check out:
www.biodiesel.org
(I've already posted a link to this website in case it looks familiar)
The cost of E85 should be about the same as that of regular gasoline from what I understand, and while there seems to be little or no efficiency gain, E85 is cleaner than gasoline and renewable. So it's not quite the "silver bullet" in terms of solving fuel consumption problems. But it is an interesting and (I think) very attractive approach to alternative fuels.
Your thoughts on alternative fuel sources?
I think that alternative fuel sources are great because there is so much pollution in big cities, like Phoenix, and LA to name a few. I hope that car companies continue to make more cars that can run on these fuels so that the environment can be saved a little longer.
Alternative fuel vehicles just make sense.... in fact I decided to go with the Ranger FFV.... now all I need is a station to fill up on E85....!
Do a little research on what fuel mileage is using E85. Not so great.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/19264.shtml
Not to mention that there is a major shortage of ethanol. This is reason gas prices are very high at the moment. It is replacing MTBE all around the country.
True, E85 mileage is not that great. I noticed this when the previous owner showed me the original window sticker (so yeah, I was aware of that before I bought the truck, but thank you for assuming otherwise). Still, I think it's great that alternatives to gasoline even exist. Perhaps E85 is currently not the best alternative to gasoline, relative to gas prices. Doesn't bother me one bit. Ford recently debuted a concept truck, the Super Chief, which runs on a concept "Tri-Flex" engine that may take gas, E85 or hydrogen. If they can feasibly build this motor, I guarantee that hydrogen will A) not be as efficient and B) not be as available and C) probably be more expensive. But they should build it ANYWAY. Engine technology changes and improves; a motor, over time, will change in design to become cleaner, more powerful and more efficient. I guarantee that the engineers at Ford and GM (and other major carmakers) are working to make E85 a viable, cost-effective alternative to gas. They pretty much have to do this. Consider rising petroleum prices, economic and political instability in the middle east, and our own legislation. Hell, DoT just set new, tougher CAFE rules for trucks, and WILL include vehicles that weigh over 10,000 lbs, by 2011.
Thank you for the link, though; it's some good reading (but remember these are manufacturer's estimates, not real-world MPG). Check out the VW diesels; next to the hybrids, they are the most fuel-efficent cars in the states. And the real potential in alternative fuel sources, by the way, is biodiesel (cleaner, renewable), though that is just my personal opinion.
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