The American people have been listening to about the dangers of foreign oil for decades. Over time, different fuels such as methane and ethanol have been proposed. Over the last few years, gas suppliers have been mixing gasoline and ethanol, in a solution called E10, or 10 percent ethanol. The next stage in ethanol, E15, or 15 percent ethanol, is set to be out next year. The EPA is mulling whether to declare it safe for older automobiles. Since the amount of evidence isn’t ample enough to really choose, car manufacturers are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to hold off. Article resource – EPA urged to mull over ethanol by automakers by Car Deal Expert.
The E15 problem
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency is finding out what it can concerning the launch of E15. E15 is an ethanol-gas solution, contained 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gas. The Department of Energy is testing the effects of E15 on cars that are no older than 10 years, according to Popular Mechanics. That is not an incredibly realistic testing range. About 88 percent of all cars in use in the United States of America are over 10 years of age. The Auto Alliance, a consortium of car manufacturers, has advised the Environmental Protection Agency not for making any ruling on E15 until Auto Alliance studies have been completed. There is at least one study out so far. The Ricardo Inc. engineering firm has determined autos older than 10 years are not harmed by E15.
Ethanol as gasoline
Ethanol also goes by another name, which is moonshine. The energy potential of a chemical is determined by its combustibility, and ethanol is certainly combustible. According to Wikipedia, the drawback to using ethanol is that it has about 34 percent less energy per unit of volume than gasoline. As result, an ethanol-only engine uses 50 percent more fuel than a gasoline engine. However, parity with gas power could be achieved by increasing the compression, and making the engine more powerful. That said, ethanol nevertheless doesn’t have quite the same power as gas does. A rise of mileage can’t be achieved, even with a larger ethanol engine.
Unintentional consequences
Use of ethanol isn’t likely to be completely curtailed. Grain has been a gasoline crop for a while, and will continue. However, ethanol will never be able to supplant gasoline as a fuel. Grain will become more scarce, and therefore increase in price should much more of the grain harvest be converted to fuel. Cheap and abundant grain cannot be discounted, as that is the very thing which made, and still makes, civilization itself possible.
Additional reading
Popular Mechanics
popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/biofuels/renewable-fuels-association-urges-epa-to-approve-e15-for-older-vehicles?click=pm_news
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel
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