Ethanol and EVs Pt 1

by Bob Larson (Ag Information Network/Washington State Farm Bureau Report) ... The same week California announced it will end the sale of new liquid-fueled vehicles in 2035, a heat wave forced a power emergency and a request that consumers reduce demand, including charging EVs. That underscored the corn ethanol industry’s argument that a wholesale switch to electric vehicles may be impractical, even in 13 years …

COOPER ... “A 2035 hard deadline sitting here, 13 years away from that deadline. It’s hard for me to see how that is plausible.”

That’s Renewable Fuels Association head Geoff Cooper. At the same time, more motorists are using more corn ethanol as the USDA ramps up millions in new help for biofuels and fueling stations …

DUCKWORTH … “They’re getting to the point now where they’re going to be able to make ethanol-based plastics that will be able to go into your clothing. And so, this is exciting for our farmers because it means that they’re going to have a dependable market for their products.”

As aviation biofuel is now being developed, that could provide another market for corn growers, especially if EVs eventually make a dent in the liquid-fueled car market. READ MORE; includes AUDIO

Excerpt from Morning Ag Clips: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth met in central Illinois recently to discuss corn-based ethanol and its ability to contribute meaningful solutions to our national challenges.

The visit comes soon after Senator Duckworth joined as an original co-sponsor to the introduction of the Next Generation Fuels Act in the U.S. Senate. The bill establishes a new high octane, low carbon fuel standard beginning in 2026, which automobile manufacturers can use to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A clean octane standard, the bill requires that sources of additional octane result in at least 40 percent fewer GHG emissions than unblended gasoline and sets new limits on toxic hydrocarbon aromatics.

Corn ethanol is an effective, low carbon octane source, providing the greatest fuel efficiency gains at the least cost to drivers while reducing GHG and tailpipe emissions. This bill finally eliminates the unfair regulatory barriers to higher blends of ethanol. The Next Generation Fuels Act allows near-term, cost-effective options, as opposed to USEPA’s current path of eliminating the internal combustion engine and mandating electric vehicles.

While at a visit to One Earth Energy in Gibson City, Ill., Senator Duckworth said, “We see the picture of what biofuels can do, and this year I took two trips into Asia and they’re really interested in gaining access to carbon neutral grown commodities (corn and soybean) and that is going to be a real advantage we have as we move forward. So, there is nothing better than American grown fuel and there’s nothing better than American grown feed. We are the fuel of the future, not just here but all over the world.”

The two later visited Casey’s General Store in LeRoy, Ill., to see one of the many E15 fueling stations in Illinois. Casey’s has committed to including E15 options at the pump for any new facility, giving consumers a more cost-effective, cleaner choice when they fill up.

ICGA remains grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos who wrote the Next Generation Fuels Act and first introduced it into the U.S. House of Representatives in August 2021. Leadership of the bill in both the House and the Senate by Rep. Bustos and Sen. Duckworth recognizes the 40-45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of corn-based ethanol compared to petroleum fuel. READ MORE