The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 279
March 16, 2017
MARC RAUCH to DAVID:
Hi David - First, my business partner (Bob Gordon) and I would like to thank
you for taking the time to read the article that you're complaining about. We like
it even when unknowledgeable people visit TheAutoChannel.com because it
shows up as a web-visit and there's always the possibility that you might click
on one of the ads we get revenue from.
Now, regarding your comments: You have no idea of what you are talking
about. Not only have vehicle owners around the world proven that late-model
non-flex fuel vehicles can run on high ethanol-gasoline blend levels, but I have
also done it personally for several years with a 2002 Ford Taurus. I've written
about this on numerous occasions and testified about it twice in Congressional
committee hearings. Here's one link to a story about my Ford Taurus: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2015/08/10/138668-splash-blendyour-own-e15-e20-e30-or-e40-for.html. If you would like more let me know.
It is true that not all late model non-flex fuel vehicles can go straight to E85, but
we didn't say they should. Many of these vehicles can use E25 to E50 or more
without any modifications. However, for those vehicle owners who would like to
go to E85 they can, and they may or may not require any modifications or a
conversion kit (that is not particularly expensive). Expensive is the cost that the
EPA has forced on Americans who would like to convert their gasoline-powered
vehicles to CNG; this costs about $10,000.
You ask "who will pay for it?" (the kit to make the non-flex fuel vehicles capable
of running on E85). Why is that a significant question? For those who wish to
do it they would pay for it, just like when they decide which set of tires to use or
what brand of oil to use; it's an optional choice. If all new vehicles were being
built with the ability to run on E85, the cost is built into the sale price, but at that
stage, it wouldn't really affect the price of a new vehicle at all.
You ask about the fleet of diesel trucks and say they can't run on E85. You're
correct, but no one is asking them to do that. They would run on biodiesel made
from ethanol. And the best part of this is that no modifications are required to
the diesel engines at all. Sometimes you should stop and think about what
you're saying.
Next, you ask about small engines and suggest that we speak with "any small
engine mechanic." We have done that. We've talked to them and corresponded
