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An interesting article on CNN today.....

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/21/news/econo...hanol/index.htm

sounds good, but I question some of the claims.

I just want to know if ethanol makes your car loose performance?

I'd agree with that statement. I am fascinated by the thought that some company will be able to take a lump of my poo and make fuel for my car with it. The applications would be endless. I am so amazed by most advances in technology, especially in the energy sector. Its really interesting.


I do doubt the claim of 10 units of energy output for every unit of input, but even if it were 5 to 1 it would still be a money maker.

10% ethanol will result in a mimimal power loss. 85% without significant changes(you could argue even with) will result in a signifcant power lows. The energy content of ethanol is only around 2/3 that of gasoline. Which means less power less MPG.

"with no other changes" is the key part of the issue. The higher octane rating of E85 means we can run higher compression for more power. If you have FI, you can do this with more boost easily. So you run E85 in your turbo car, and can easily compensate for the differnce in energy content. For NA cars, it can be a bigger issue, but we had the same issues when unleaded gas was introduced. And we know that issue was resolved with time.

E85 has substantially less energy in it than gasoline (~73%) so I question if you are gonna make that up in boost. And if you do, what it the cost in heavier components? This is less if an issue with biodiesel where energy content is closer to diesel (~91%) and engines are already built for high compression.

I don't think power output will be a problem. Many race cars are running 100% ethanol.

"The American Coalition for Ethanol is extraordinarily proud that the IndyCar Series has made ethanol its fuel of choice,

Didn't say it can't be done. Those cars were designed for and run on Methanol for years so the switch to Ethanol was not that big a deal.

The public has been using vehicles that are designed for gasoline so the change to a fuel that has 29% less energy will be an adjustment. Less power and range without changes that will cost us in both acquisition cost and drivability.

A breakthrough to allow cellulosic ethanol production will be a good thing but expect major changes in what you expect from your vehicle if that is a primary fuel.

Let me say that I am not a proponent of forced ethanol use, I think it should be a market based decision. My state is going from a 10% ethanol blend mandate to 20% blend mandate in the next couple years. Basically because our governor had a woody for the farm vote. What effect that will have on my car will remain to be seen.