Quote:
Originally Posted by ankit
But, farmers (which make-up a lot of the locality) have the ability to make a little money. Renewable source of energy, a huge plus.
The food think makes me weary of supporting the ethanol movement.
Maybe the use of ethanol should be continued but in moderation.
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The problem is that you have to input so much energy, and a lot of water, to make ethanol that it's only sustainable with subsidies. Renewable... yes but at a cost in non-renewable energy and a net loss until the technology and source of biomass is improved. And I'm a farmer, albeit a small one.
By the way, there is a very new study on the use of ethanol blends.
Vehicle Technologies Program: Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends on Legacy Vehicles and Small Non-Road Engines, Report 1
It's ongoing. Covers small engines too, which are more negatively effected. In the cars they tested, E-10 averaged a 3.88 percent mpg loss. E-15 was about six percent. Other troubles too. Read for yourself. Not good, in balance.
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Jim Allen
The Frugal Four Wheeler and Farmer
My ultimate goal is not necessarily the highest mpg but to make my trucks more efficient configured as I need them.
Old Reliable '86 Ford F-250HD 4x4, 6.9L diesel
Red '00 Honda Accord Coupe, 3.0L V6, automatic
The Plugger '05 Ford F-150HD 4x4, Regular Cab, 8-ft bed, 8,200# GVW, 5.4L V8, automatic, 4.10:1 ratios, 285/70R-17D tires
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