[AT] E85/Flex Fuel conversions

[Mike Sloane]

Unfortunately, the comparison between Brazil's use of sugar cane vs. the 
US use of corn doesn't work. Brazil has only a tiny fraction of the 
number of cars and roads compared to the US, and sugar cane grows like a 
weed with very little mechanical/chemical input, and harvesting is done 
mostly by hand. In the US at this time, it takes more inputs of energy 
in the form of chemical fertilizers/herbicides/insecticides and 
mechanical planting/harvesting/producing than you get out. And if it 
wasn't for a healthy government subsidy, ethanol would cost far more 
than gasoline. And ethanol doesn't produce as much working energy per 
gallon as gasoline. In addition, ethanol doesn't store well and is 
difficult to transport. Finally, if you divert corn production to motor 
fuel, then that will create price pressures on animal feed and human 
foods. While ethanol is certainly one possible piece in the drive to 
reduce imports of crude oil, only a significant reduction in the use of 
oil by drivers, manufacturers, and electric producers is going to make 
any serious impact. For that to happen, you need to have a whole laundry 
list of changes in the way this country uses oil - more efficient 
vehicles, less wasteful driving, alternate forms of electricity 
generation, less wasteful use of lighting, and so on. And you need a 
real commitment on the part of the government, not just some high 
sounding words from Washington.

Mike (S)

Mike wrote:
> I saw a program on Discovery or some such channel about how a country 
> in South America, Brazil I think, was going to be completely 
> independant from foreign oil in a couple of years. They will be 
> making all their fuel from sugar cane alcohol. They had started 
> phasing out oil years ago, and are now to a point where they can do 
> completely without it. It sure seems like we could do the same thing 
> with all the corn we produce. 
> 
> Mike
> 
> -- "David A. Laughead Jr." <daljr at bright.net> wrote:
> I haven't found or heard much about E85 fuels. What I know is that 
> not many
> vehicles can run it. I support it fully.
> 
> I have found less about conversions for non compatible vehicles. But 
> I did
> just find this product I guess I need to look into it further. Go 
> here for
> it http://flextek.com/index.htm
> 
> I thought this could be a good discussion,
> Dave Laughead
> Arcanum, ohio

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
<mikesloane at verizon.net>
Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

It's hard to argue against cynics - they always sound smarter
than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side.
-- Molly Ivins 1944-2007