What by your definition is "True Ethanol"?
There's only one kind of ethanol. It's the process by which it's made that is different. But one process is no "truer" than the other. So the reason you said this eludes me. But on to your points:
1: There are NOT more CO2 emissions. multiple studies have shown that corn based ethanol delievers a maximum of 30% reduction in emissions compared to gasoline. Yet more studies have shown that switchgrass, or any other cellulosic-based ethanol can yeild up to an 80% reduction in GHG emissions. Either way you cut it, there is a reduction.
pretty much sums it up
2: True. but if it's cheap enough to make up the difference...who cares? 1 gallon of gasoline gives you about 1.35 gallons of E85 worth of mileage, right? So...if the E85 is $2.00 a gallon (double what some companies expect to produce it for), and gas is $4.00 a gallon (and rising...), then you have to pay $2.70 to go the same distance on E85 as you would on $4.00 of gasoline. You see that as a problem?
exactly,while it isnt as potent as regular gasoline, it can be made to
3: Switchgrass and waste can grow anywhere under most any conditions with little to no fertilizer or pesticides, but other than that, I cede this point: corn is dependeant on seasonal trends, like any other crop.
corn is dependent on seasonal trends....which is why Brazil is whooping ass with sugarcane ethanol production. they can produce sugar nearly 90% of the year
4: False, false and false. Even the guys at the UN, who seem to hate Ethanol because of this unfounded reason, are stating that ethanol production has had a maximum impact of 3% increase in food prices. Out of the 40-some percent increase that's being experienced right now. Food prices are going up around the world mainly due to three things:
- The crop-yeilds due to bad seasons are down slightly
- Have you been to the gas station lately? Prices are WAY up, yeah -- the truckers have to pay more, too.
- There are more mouths to feed, and they want to be fed more than ever before because of the same reason fuel is going up. third-world nations are starting to thrive, and grow. That means they can afford to eat more, and are doing it.
Please, continue your list.
the main reason that crop prices are rising is because farmers have had to "set aside" acres of farmland to use for other crops than what they were originally intended. for instance, US bumping up production of corn to be used to create ethanol means less room for soy production, which means the US has to import more and more instead of just buying sugarcan ethanol from brazil like they should
It's a quick fix allright, no disagreements there, but we need it badly -- would you disagree? And eventually, as the transportaion-fuel landscape changes, ethanol may become a big player in a very diverse arena of fuels.
I happen to ONLY use 10% ethanol fuel. I've done the comparisons with using non-blended fuels.....and the blended stuff is actually giving me better milage in my Cobalt than regular fuel. Don't ask me to explain why, because I can't -- all I know, is that it does. And these evil gas stations are selling gas for at least .10 cheaper than those who don't blend their fuels. AND, whatever you think of the fuel, I am guaranteed that 10% of my money is
not going overseas to the oil sheiks. I'll keep my E10, thank you very much!
as previously stated, some benefits of ethanol are higher octane ratings and cooler operating temps, mixing/blending it in more and more will net you improved performance