Nearly each U.S. president since Jimmy Carter has said something about reducing dependence on foreign oil for gas. Along the way, people have tried to come up with different fuels for transportation. One of these ideas was to use the compound ethanol. 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 cars. There is not a good deal of science out on it yet. That is why auto makers are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to wait on deciding.
Environmental Protection Agency and E15
Currently, the EPA 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. According to Popular Mechanics, the Department of Energy is currently testing the effects of E15 on autos newer than 10 years old. That isn’t an incredibly realistic testing range. About 88 percent of all automobiles in use in the U.S. are over 10 years of age. The Auto Alliance, a consortium of auto manufacturers, has urged the Environmental Protection Agency not to make any ruling on E15 until Auto Alliance studies have been completed. At least one study, by engineering group Ricardo, Inc., found that E15 has no harmful effects on autos older than 10 years.
Fuel from ethanol
Ethanol also goes by another name, which is moonshine. It is a flammable and combustible chemical. However, there is a hitch. According to Wikipedia, ethanol has 34 percent less energy by volume than gas does. This has a noticeable impact. An ethanol only engine will use about 50 percent more fuel than a gasoline engine. However, parity with gas power can be achieved by increasing the compression, and making the engine more powerful. Even with a larger engine at higher compression, ethanol fueled automobiles can’t get better mileage than gas engines.
The outcomes of ethanol
A large number of grain is already being used for a gas crop. However, the danger with supplanting gas with ethanol is that crops, especially grains, increase in scarcity and therefore cost. Having a cheap abundance of grain crops is what 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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