The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 239
Reply from MARC:
Greg - BTU ratings are irrelevant when considering fuel in an internal combustion engine; we're not boiling water. So you should lose any references to BTUs
in attempting to calculate fuel economy in passenger cars and trucks.
To simplify things even more, throw out any reference to AAA, unless you want
to discuss where to get route maps... but then with today's GPS devices, AAA
isn't even needed for that.
Furthermore, your calculation of E85 getting only 65% of the mileage of E10 or
E0 is a joke. It's based on the nonsense BTU issue, which has nothing to do
with an internal combustion engine.
In practical, actual driving experience E85 will only lose between 5% and 15%
of MPG compared to E10 or E0, depending upon the vehicle. So if you lose
10% in miles, but the price of E85 is 20% less than E10 or E0 then it's a net
gain. If you lost 20% in MPG but the E85 is 20% cheaper then you break even.
I won't go through all the math on various prices and mileage losses, but it's
clear that the scenario you painted is incorrect.
Posted by HOPE-FULL-LEE:
I can just see God saying "why are you people burning FOOD in your cars, I
GAVE YOU OIL!!"
I have three beautiful children that I don't want to see go hungry at some point
in their lives.
Reply from MARC:
What I think God might be really saying is "Why are you people allowing your
young men and women to be killed fighting wars over oil that is controlled by
countries that hate you? I gave you the ability to grow things that can be made
into useful products. Why are you using corn to make unhealthful sweeteners,
