Thoughts about E85 eventually going away?

[Cory S]

Over the last 10 years, hundreds of E85 pumps have been removed/closed. In the upper North East, we literally have 4 locations within a 4 state area. Since the Flex fuel vehicle fad died off about 5-8 years ago, I myself can't see stations keeping it on hand unless it's just in the Midwest/South, and still profitable enough to the performance/race crowd.

Now with the ridiculous EV narrative being shoved in our faces, I'm concerned about the future of Ethanol fuels. Not heavily concerned, but what are YOUR thoughts?

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[theslerg]

Its happening in the Midwest, too. EPA agenda, IMO Even tho it amitts alot less co2 than nasty pump gas

 

[Strokerswild]

I'm going to be pissed if it goes away. There's only a few pumps in my area as it is.

 

[WildHorse]

Doesn't bother me as much as you guys. Being in the Great White North we had zero access to E85 anyways, unless you get it by the pail/drum. Even then I'd go for race gas to keep the fuel system happy.

 

[Torinate]

Here in Ontario, the last e85 station stopped selling it about 6 years ago now. Prior to that, there were a few stations here and there but it was more of a gimmick then. e85 by the drum or barrel is all we can access. So like @WildHorse race gas it is for those special moments...

In my small town, 91 is the highest... 94 and 93 are available within 20 minutes so that's what I do. Not exactly convenient at times, but 94 is all I run on.

 

[WildHorse]

but 94 is all I run on.

Husky here in Manitoba carried 94 right up until it was sold last summer. Now it's all 91. Now on April first carbon tax is being implemented again so that's another 11 cents a liter hike. I think I'll just buy 2 drums of 260GT for the spring/summer/fall.

 

[theruleslawyer]

Its happening in the Midwest, too. EPA agenda, IMO Even tho it amitts alot less co2 than nasty pump gas

There's a lot of debate on that one. Recent studies show the complete cycle might actually be worse, at least at a 30year timescale. Switchgrass is the biofuel that might have a chance in reducing complete cycle emissions.

 

[Andy13186]

There's a lot of debate on that one. Recent studies show the complete cycle might actually be worse, at least at a 30year timescale. Switchgrass is the biofuel that might have a chance in reducing complete cycle emissions.

Switchgrass is what they could use for the production of e85 instead of corn

Still will be ethanol though. I hope we switch to switchgrass instead of just giving up on e85 since I love e85 and its such a good fuel for high performance.




Even e50 is amazing.

 

[gone_n_60]

E85 was never cost effective, at the rate of mileage lost vs. cost per gallon I estimated E85 needed to be at least .60 cents less per gallon to offest the mileage per gallon lost. Next is the delivery issue of E85, having been in the refining biz once, E85 can't be transported in pipes like gasoline as it's too corrosive over time. You have to truck E85 via your distribution network which made the subsidy needed even more with the added cost of transportation. The irony of a bio based fuel being delivered via Diesel trucks? Just was fated to not be a good national alternative.

 

[Andy13186]

E85 was never cost effective, at the rate of mileage lost vs. cost per gallon I estimated E85 needed to be at least .60 cents less per gallon to offest the mileage per gallon lost. Next is the delivery issue of E85, having been in the refining biz once, E85 can't be transported in pipes like gasoline as it's too corrosive over time. You have to truck E85 via your distribution network which made the subsidy needed even more with the added cost of transportation. The irony of a bio based fuel being delivered via Diesel trucks? Just was fated to not be a good national alternative.

E85 is quite a bit more than 60 cents cheaper than premium gas while also being 106 octane instead of 93 octane and keeping your motor cooler.

 

[Dave2013M3]

I think in certain states it made sense like in California. Other midwest, very cold states not so much. In California E85 is a real E85 and its literally half the cost of 91 octane here in California as we are approaching darn near $6.49 and I can get E85 at $3.19 per gallon. E85 isn't taxed like regular gasoline here in California. Thats why it has to be a true E85, if the ethanol content drops below E85 it gets taxed like regular gasoline. For me I use it to bump up my octane a few points. I run 2 gallons of E85, 1.5 gallons of 101 VP racing to California 91 and that gets me to 94 octane.

 

[LSchicago]

I see more E85 pumps in the Chicago area, not less.

 

[Torinate]

Husky here in Manitoba carried 94 right up until it was sold last summer. Now it's all 91. Now on April first carbon tax is being implemented again so that's another 11 cents a liter hike. I think I'll just buy 2 drums of 260GT for the spring/summer/fall.

Will you mix the 260 with 91 pump or run it straight?

Jeez. All this talk about e85 in the US.

Switchgrass eh... How about my own lawn clippings... teach me to home-brew some e85!

 

[tdstuart]

Will you mix the 260 with 91 pump or run it straight?

Jeez. All this talk about e85 in the US.

Switchgrass eh... How about my own lawn clippings... teach me to home-brew some e85!

For real, ill brew my own e85. I'm sure the local park won't notice if the grass is a little shorter.

 

[WildHorse]

Will you mix the 260 with 91 pump or run it straight?

If premium goes over 2.10/L then straight.

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