President Bush meeting again with automakers; topics include flex-fuel vehicles
President Bush has scheduled a meeting today with executives from GM, Ford and Chrysler Group, and flex-fuel vehicles and biodiesel are likely to be the main topics. Bush is a big supporter of flex-fuel vehicles that can run on E85 ethanol. It's part of his plan to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent in 10 years and also keep the corn farmers happy. So far the automakers have pledged to double production of flex-fuel vehicles by 2010. They say, however, there really isn't enough E85 in the market to allow flex-fuel vehicles to make an impact in gasoline consumption.
Some of the vehicles Bush plans to inspect include the Chevy Impala and a Jeep Cherokee diesel that runs on B5 biodiesel. I suggest letting Bush drive the Impala with and without E85 and have him pay the tab for filling up the tank each time. When he sees the much-reduced fuel economy of ethanol and the out-of-pocket costs to consumers--not including the cost to taxpayers for all the government incentives to boost ethanol production--maybe he'll start listening to other advisors on energy issues.
[Source: Associated Press via WHDH Boston]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1985 Gripen 2:43PM (3/26/2007)
I'm guessing Bush's main "advisor" in this case is the corn farmers' lobby. Or perhaps the automobile manufacturers' lobby. It's a lot cheaper to modify an existing car design to run E85 than to develop some other alternative fuel capability.
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Jimmy 4:40PM (3/26/2007)
"much-reduced fuel economy of ethanol and the out-of-pocket costs to consumers"
Not so fast.. let's play with hard numbers. Driving a Chevy Impala 300 miles on E85 with an EPA estimated combined MPG would require 15.8 gallons. Right now in Wisconsin, E85 costs $1.89 a gallon for a total cost of $30. On regular unleaded using EPA combined figures would need 12.5 gallons, which at the same station in Wisconsin is going to cost $31.86.
Of course, on the coasts one is going to pay more for E85 if you can find it at all. As more ethanol is made in more locations from a variety of feed stocks ethanol will become cost competitive in more of the USA.
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MikeW 10:12PM (3/27/2007)
In Illinois the discount for E70/85 does not cover the reduced energy content.
Not everyone starts off with a topped off tank and even if they did, do you think old people would like to drive with the low fuel light on? (Oh no Archie, the fuel pump is going to 'burn up') The Impala only has a 17.5 gallon tank, and lets say 90% is useable, which is 15.7gallon (.9 x 66.2 liters / 3.7854 l/g) or at least able to be picked up under all vehicle conditons (hot fuel pump-cooled by the fuel and an empty resevoir, sounds like a lot of gaseous fuel instead of liquid fuel)
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