by Sarah McNaughton (Young Dakota Living/Farm Progress) With its lower price and other benefits, ethanol could be a smart choice at the pump this summer. — … Many may think that ethanol is only for specific vehicles, and even call E85 a “race car fuel.” In reality, a blend of ethanol and gasoline can lower your costs and help your vehicle run better. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on these fuels, as well as on regular gasoline.
I drive a newer-model Ford Escape, which can run on ethanol. The flex-fuel designation is displayed on the back of some cars, trucks and SUVs. But other vehicles include that information only in the owner’s manual. As much as I like using ethanol in my SUV, make sure to check your owner’s manual before using ethanol or any other type of fuel.
Iowa corn shares that ethanol is not only safe for cars, but also often better for vehicles. Ethanol is environmentally friendly and provides a higher octane for cleaner engines. The most common options for ethanol is E85, made from 85% ethanol and 15% gas, or E15, made from 15% ethanol and 85% gas. You may also find E15 labeled as “Unleaded 88” at the pump. Some stations will also offer E30, which is 30% ethanol and 70% gas.
Price savings
Aside from the benefits discussed above, I’m always happy to use an ethanol blend for the price savings. The North Dakota Ethanol Council says ethanol can reduce gas prices by more than $1 a gallon — the equivalent of $1,200 annually for the average household.
SAVE AT THE PUMP: During a trip to the pump on May 18, I saved about 10 cents per gallon by choosing E30.
Prices at the pump when I fueled up last were $4.09 for regular 87 and $4.69 for premium. E15 was $4.04, E30 (my choice) was $3.99, and the best price of all was E85 at $2.79. My specific car can’t run on E85, but if it could, that’s what I’d be choosing.
Between the numerous fuel blends and the various cars we all drive, there should be a way for a flex fuel such as ethanol to play a role in your summer driving. READ MORE
E15 Gasoline Can Save You Money at the Pump: The cost reduction overcomes the energy loss. (Wall Street Journal)
Memorial Day real gasoline prices highest since 2012, near record levels (Energy Information Administration)
Excerpt from Wall Street Journal: A letter (May 10) questions the savings from E15 gasoline (gasoline blended with 15% ethanol) versus mainstream E10 gasoline, claiming that reductions in miles per gallon with E15 will exceed cost savings. I have studied the impact of fuel composition on engine operation for decades. It’s correct that E15 contains less energy than E10, around 1.5% less. But assuming gasoline at $4 a gallon, this reduction in energy would be overcome by cost reduction when E15 gasoline costs 6 cents or more per gallon less than E10.
Savings with E15 generally far exceed 6 cents a gallon compared with E10, producing a welcome reduction in operating cost per mile for consumers. Moreover, the 1.5% penalty with E15 is a worst-case scenario. Octane enhancement with E15 coupled with reduced intake temperature (heat of vaporization) typically offsets some of the 1.5% reduction in fuel economy. Finally, energy security from an American homegrown fuel, coupled with greenhouse-gas-emissions reductions, further support E15 as the preferred choice. –Andrew Randolph, ECR Engines, Welcome, N.C. READ MORE
Biofuels Producers Urge Changes to RFS Rule to Boost Aviation Fuel
(Inside EPA) Biofuels producers, airlines and others are urging changes to EPA’s proposed renewable fuel standard (RFS) rules to provide