Ethyl alcohol, also called grain alcohol, is produced by fermenting and then distilling starch and sugar crops.
This is not a new fuel, the original Model T Ford was built to run on ethanol, and switched to run on gasoline.
Is ethanol a real solution and alternative to gasoline, or not?
Pros of Ethanol
Using ethanol produces less pollution than gasoline, specifically less carbon monoxide and other toxic air pollutants.
It's made from corn, which is a renewable resource.
E10 can be used in any car.
Can be locally produced. Which can stimulate local farm economy.
Reduces fossil fuel imports.
Cons of Ethanol
Lower energy than gasoline, this impacts the cars performance. Your mileage may drop by as much as 10%.
Corrosion, Ethanol (as is BioDiesel) is more corrosive than gasoline, and will react with the rubbers, gaskets and lines to degrade them faster than if you were using gasoline or diesel.
Availability - Few gas stations offer ethanol.
E85, cannot be used in any vehicle.
Some vehicle manufacturers void their warranties if fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol in it is used.
We have a long way to go if we want to use E85 as an alternative to gasoline, hybrids, diesel or biodiesel.
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( 3 / 358 )With the gas prices going up as they have over the last year, and most recently paying $4.19 for diesel, this has lead to some creative solutions.
I know that I can complain about the price of gas as much as the next person, but the reality is that there is nothing that I can do to impact the price of gas / diesel.
Personally over the last year there are a few things that I have done to ease the pain of the price at the pump. These are:
1. Working from home. I drive much less than I did in the past. I have a home office, and typically will go out only once or twice a week for work related travel.
2. Improving my finances. After watching the price of gas rise, I decided not to complain, but to work on improving my monthly cash flow in order to make enough money that I didn't care about the price of gas. If you are interested in how I did this, just ask me, and I can show you how to do the same.
Improving My Cashflow
3. Drive a more fuel efficient vehicle. The car my wife drives gets between 40 and 50 miles per gallon on diesel.
What I am looking for here is positive responses from you, what have you done ease the pain of the price at the pump. Positive creative solutions only please....
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( 3 / 433 )I paid $4.09 per gallon for diesel yesterday. This was the highest that I have ever paid for fuel.
Gasoline will soon follow, and the extra cost for a Hybrid car will be easier to justify.
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( 3 / 434 )What are your thoughts, will we see gas at $5.00 per gallon in the US anytime soon.
A couple years ago you would have been called crazy if you hat predicted that gas would be at $3.00 per gallon.
Do you think that we will end up paying $5.00 per gallon for gas anytime soon?
I hope not.
Just click the comment link below and post your thoughts on this.
If you can also post the last last price that you paid for gas (if you remember), and what Country / State you live in.
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( 3 / 168 )In a recent survey that I conducted of several people, these are the most common responses that I received to the question of "Tell me one of the negatives about a hybrid vehicle."
They're fuel efficiency is based on speeds up to 55 mph, so any highway travel forces them to burn much more gas than advertised.
This is generally true. Hybrid cars are much more efficient at lower speeds and city driving.
If you need the battery pack replaced, at this moment it could cost you several thousand dollars.
This is true, but the batteries in the hybrid vehicles last much longer than most people believe.
One downfall is that it is more expensive than the regular model.
This is also true if you consider the expense to purchase. Depending on your driving habits, the hybrid could be cheaper over time when you consider the cost of fuel.
High prices for hybrids are not justified over the long haul. You would be better off to drive a bit slower and take better care of your gasoline powered car.
This is opinion, neither fact or fiction. It is up to each person to determine if the higher prices are justified or not.
The cost of maintenance and repairs. I own a 2001 Toyota Prius and LOVE it. If you take your vehicle to the Toyota dealership it costs a fortune. It is next to impossible to do your own work (dangerous). I take my car to my regular mechanic for oil/filter changes, work on brakes and some other stuff.
This is true.
In a Car Wreck you will get killed by the stray electricty.
False. Stray electricity, are you crazy?
If you travel a lot on the highway, the gas mileage tends to be lower than city driving. This is the opposite of conventional vehicles.
This is true.
So what do you think? In your opinion what are the pitfalls associated with hybrid vehicles?
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