E-85 is always about 30-40 cents per gallon cheaper here. I buy it because it's made 5 miles away from me with corn that was grown in the area last summer.
I'd probably buy it if was the same price as regular gas. I'd much rather buy a fuel that was produced from the ground up in the US than give my money to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela, etc.
Last year I burned almost 1200 gallons of E85. That equates to about 1000 gallons of ethanol and only 200 gallons of gasoline.
I'd like to see some facts that back up Kevin's claims about its lack of benefits. Here are a few quick facts from ethanol.org about ethanol fuel:
* Ethanol blends are likely to reduce carbon monoxide emissions in vehicles by between 10% - 30%, depending upon the combustion technology. (U.S. EPA)
* The American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago credits ethanol-blended fuel with reducing smog-forming emissions by 25% since 1990.
* The use of 10% ethanol blends reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 12-19% compared to conventional gasoline. (Argonne National Lab)
* In 2004, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7 million tons, equal to removing the emissions of more than 1 million cars from the road. (Argonne National Lab)
* Research shows a 35-46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 50-60% reduction in fossil energy use due to the use of ethanol as a motor fuel. (Argonne National Lab)
* Ethanol contains 35% oxygen, making it burn more cleanly and completely than gasoline.
* E85 has the highest oxygen content of any fuel available, making it burn even more cleanly and even more completely than any other fuel.
* E85 contains 80% fewer gum-forming compounds than gasoline.
* Ethanol is highly biodegradable, making it safer for the environment.
So, you decide, what's better for you. For me, I burned 1000 fewer gallons of gas last year.
