Loss of fuel economy from ethanol-blended gasoline hits motorists in the wallet

[phantom power]

We've noticed a drop in our mileage recently, and (because I'm such an E/E hipster) this was one of the first things to cross my mind. I don't know how to verify it for my particular case, but sounds like it's happening.

Charles Kigar doesn’t think twice when he has a choice of buying a gallon of conventional gasoline or a gallon of gas that contains ethanol at the same price.

He buys the gas without ethanol.

The reason is a simple matter of science. Conventional gas delivers more energy than a gallon that contains ethanol.

...If it’s E-85, a blend containing 85 percent ethanol that can be used in specially equipped vehicles, the energy loss soars and more than offsets its lower cost, even though E-85 is about 60 cents per gallon less at retail than conventional gas.

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/593644.html

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. Out local tv news did a story about this

Most of the stations acknowledged selling gasoline that was mixed with ethanol. None would define the mix ratios. As a result of the story the local Conoco stations now have "ethanol free" signs up and are selling gas at about 5 to 6 cents more per gallon than other stations.

I've noticed that my MPG are not a good as they used to be and sometimes it seems like the car is running a bit rough. Something I attribute to poor fuel quality. The car only has about 20,000 miles on it and the fuel filter was recently replaced. I'm thinking I may switch to the more expensive non ethanol gas for several tankfuls and see if I get enough better gas mileage to justify the additional cost - and to see if it resolves my apparent fuel quality issues.

[chaska]

2. I used to buy Hess, BP and Citgo indiscrimanently...

Then I noticed the 'contains ethanol' sign on the Hess pumps. I mostly just buy Citgo now (send my money to Hugo, HELL YES!). It's gotta be cheaper when you figure that it only costs 2 cents more a gallon for their undiluted gas, and the MPG difference.

And who needs the whole let's make grocery prices higher, the whole let's starve the rest of the world, the whole let's make ADM stockholders richer angles?

Spread the word: Just say no to ethanol.

[Javaman]

3. No duh.

it's been long known that ethanol doesn't have the same energy carrying ability as gas. AKA it take more ethanol to go to A to B then it does gasoline.

That's why this ethanol is a colossal scam. Not just for the agracorps but for the government.

You just plain have to buy more to get anywhere and that was their plan all along.