[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by Xist

According to With only 2/3 the energy of gasoline, ethanol costs more per mile, ethanol has 65.5% the energy of gasoline. I had not realized that it was that bad, but it would need to be for people complain about one part per ten or twenty.

So, the government's solution is to require more of it?

This has been discussed multiple times just on this forum. Ethanol is more expensive than Gasoline per energy unit, especially now due to high corn prices. Ethanol is way to reduce Petroleum consumption and it even increases the octane rating so it's effectively a cheaper high octane additive. Toulene is a common octane booster used and it's way more expensive than Gasoline. Energy density is a relatively minor issue, infact Ethanol can increase the energy efficiency just from the effect on the intake air. Read up on some of the efficiency studies on Ethanol fueled engines, it's pretty incredible what can be done with alcohol.

There's also the economic perspective that money spent domestically multiplies GDP growth vs Imports but that's another topic. I'm taking MacroEconomics so such things are the first things I think of but I could go on for pages.