Ethanol Called Fuel of Future

by Erica Quinlan (AgriNews) Bobby Likis is an engine builder with 45 years of experience in the automotive service industry.

He’s serviced around 200,000 vehicles and answered upward of 100,000 car-related questions on the radio. In this time, he’s seen no mechanical or engine problems due to ethanol.

While some say ethanol is not the fuel of the future, Likis disagrees. His interest in alcohol-based fuels started in 1965, so this is nothing new.

“I’ve always followed new and renewable fuels,” he said at the Indiana Ethanol Forum. “When ethanol came about, I said this is for me.”

Likis compared the car industry to a maze with four entry points: Drivers, car makers, mechanics and regulators.

There are two bodies that regulate legislation for renewable fuels, he said: The Corporate Average Fuel Economy and Renewable Fuel Standard.

The two acts incentivize carmakers to build lighter vehicles with fuel efficient engines and lower emissions, he said.

“Ethanol does both of these things, as well as decrease dependency on foreign oil, increase energy security, boost the GDP, lower the cost at the pump and increase design innovation,” Likis said. READ MORE