Pros and Cons of Ethanol Based Fuel
Cleaning up the air by reducing greenhouse emissions and breaking our dependency on foreign oil are major issues among politicians, lobbyists, green groups, and voters. E85, a blend consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is being hailed as one way to go about reducing pollutants put out by gasoline. However, there is more to consider here than emissions, cost and fuel efficiency.
Cons of Ethanol Based Fuel - E85
- Ethanol helps save on gas spending, but for those in the Western US, it will cost up to $.35 more per gallon to fuel up and the Mid-Atlantic states up to $.44 more. The fortunate ones are those living in the Mid-West where ethanol is produced. Filling up with ethanol there is actually $.30 less per gallon of fuel.
- To add to the woes of ethanol based fuel is that it is less fuel efficient. You’ll be swiping your gas rebate credit card more often than with gasoline.
- Ethanol based fuel is only widely available in the Mid-Western States.
Pros of Ethanol Based Fuel - E85
- Ethanol is a renewable energy source and can be produced domestically. If it reaches a wider market, it would definitely help break our dependency on foreign oil.
- Smog emissions are reduced up to 50% which equates to cleaner air.
Finally, according to today’s AAA Fuel Gauge report, E85 had an average of $3.045 per gallon (remember, we’re talking about places where it is widely available), BUT when factoring in the pathetic fuel efficiency of ethanol based fuels, it was found that consumers are really spending approximately $4.007 per gallon.
As of today’s date, it would be cheaper to fuel up with premium grade gasoline than with E85.