E85 Gas – Separating Fact from Fiction!

Before we delve into the myths associated with E85 and Flex Fuel; let us first get EDUMICATED! The “E” in E85 stands for Ethanol. Ethanol is a Biofuel that is derived from the starch of corn. The 85 refers to a mixture of 85% Ethanol and 15% Gasoline that makes up this fuel. Consider yourself LEARNED!

E85 Nets Better Gas Mileage – MYTH!
The use of Ethanol significantly hinders fuel mileage because alcohol (what Ethanol actually is) contains less energy than regular gas. Your miles per gallon could be decreased by as much as 15-30%.

E85 Costs less than Regular Gasoline – FACT!* Not Really Though!
Yes E85 is currently around 20% cheaper than regular gasoline. But keep in mind that you get lesser miles per gallon using E85. So the end result is that you would have to purchase more E85 fuel to go the same distance you would by using regular gas. This would offset the money saved at the pump.

E85 is better for the Environment – FACT!
According to the EPA: E85 reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions by 15-20% and reduces evaporative emissions (smog pollutants)! “Ethanol currently is the only compound that can be blended with gasoline to help reduce global warming,” according to a recent study by Smog Reyes.

Ethanol uses Corn that could Feed the Hungry – MYTH!
The corn that is used for Ethanol production is not the same corn used for human consumption. It is the corn used to feed livestock. So are we using up all the corn that is food for animals? Again, No! Ethanol is made from the starch in this corn; the nutrients, minerals, and protein that remain is still used in the production of gluten feed.


E85 has suddenly become popular for a couple of reasons. First it is a Biofuel which means this is a renewable energy source. Where oil might run out some day….we can go on forever creating Ethanol as long as there are farmers with fields of corn. E85 is also much better for our environment. With the Green Movement in full swing; it was inevitable that Smog and Greenhouse emissions would need to be reduced and thus we now have flex fuel cars.


Resources:
http://www.epa.gov/SmartwayLogistics/growandgo/documents/factsheet-e85.htm
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/docs/FORUM/Whitten2004.pdf
http://www.smm.org/buzz/blog/e85_ethanol_myths_and_realities
http://e85.whipnet.net/ethanol.faq/topten.myths.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12872060/

Natural Gas Powered Cars in DA HOUSE!!!!

The Arab Oil Embargo happened in 1973, and today we are still as dependant on oil as ever. The point being that after 35 years we are pretty much in the same position; freaking out about oil. Now technology is playing catch-up at an exponential pace. The different alternative fuel cars out there are beginning to gain momentum. There are Hybrids, Ethanol powered, Vegetable Oil powered, Battery powered, and Natural Gas powered car roaming the streets.

We know that the U.S. consumes 21 million barrels per day of oil. As a country we produce about 4.86 million barrels and Import the rest from other countries. Unfortunately our usage exceeds our production. And as far as reserves go we are number 11 on that list. But there is another fuel source that is hardly talked about.

The United States has the 4th largest natural gas reserve in the world (gravmag.com/oil.html). So why are we as a country still so reliant on oil? Beats me….we use natural gas to cook our food, dry our clothes, and heat our bath water. It would seem logical to use compressed natural gas (CNG) to power our automobiles. But alas; there must be some unwritten agreement out there against natural gas powered cars. Well there is at least one automaker with an open mind!

Honda continues to be the only Automobile manufacturer to sell a natural gas powered car on U.S. soil. “Only about 1,000 of the more than 300,000 Civic subcompacts that Honda sells every year in the USA are the natural-gas GX version (usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-05-08-natural-gas-usat_N.htm).” That’s a tiny number of CNG cars. The negatives must outweigh the positives…..Right……Wrong!!!!

Here are some of the advantages of a natural gas powered car.
1) Natural gas powered cars get as good as gas mileage as the regular gasoline powered cars, and in many cases the MPG is better. The Civic GX gets up to 39 MPG on the Freeway!
2) Price per gallon is cheaper. On average…..natural gas is much cheaper than regular gasoline.
3) The little Honda Civic GX produces fewer emissions then the Toyota Prius; making it the cleanest internal combustion engine on the market today (usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-05-08-natural-gas-usat_N.htm).

Now it’s time to air the negatives associated with natural gas powered automobiles.
1) CNG cars are a couple thousand dollars more expensive than their counterparts. It does cost money to be on the cutting edge of technology! On average the GX is only 2 grand more than the Hybrid.
2) The trunk space is slightly smaller due to the natural gas tank and associated parts.
3) There are not very many gas stations around that sell CNG. In fact gas stations across the nation are well behind those that sell E85 or other biofuels.

So now the negative really do not look that bad. And couple that with the fact that there are huge rebates available when purchasing a CNG car; and hybrids really do not look like our saving grace. And of course I have save the biggest and best news for last! Honda has invested some cash in a Canada based company called FuelMaker Corp. which sells natural gas refilling stations for your home. Now you don’t have to worry about finding a station in the real world. And the best part is that it costs a measly $1.25 per gallon (usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-05-08-natural-gas-usat_N.htm)! I cannot wait to buy one of these CNG cars….as soon as I sell my Hummer….any interested buyers?

Go Diesel!!!! Its Your Birthday!!!! You The MAN!!!!!

With Hybrids becoming all the "Rage" these days, Europe has been riding the red headed stepchild of the automobile world all the way to the bank!

Diesel Engines are becoming even more efficient than Hybrid cars netting close to 50 MPG. But what is a Diesel Engine and why is it so much more efficient. Well a Diesel Engine is very similar to a normal everyday combustion engine with one major difference. Diesel Engines do not employ the use of a spark plug, rather they reply on compression in the engine to ignite the fuel mixture, and this causes a cleaner more efficient burn, thus wasting less gas. And when a diesel engine is combined with a turbocharger, which makes power from the spend exhaust gasses, then these engines can be made as powerful as their regular combustion brothers. Diesel engines are often overbuilt and the lack of an electrical ignition seytem only adds to their reliability.

Volkswagen has been at the forefront with their TDI (Turbo Diesel Injected) with their Golf running around Freeways getting anywhere between 42-47 MPG these owners seem to be part of some secret club.

Now there is again big new from our friends to the east. Subaru plans on bringing a Diesel Powered car over to the U.S. that according to Motor Trend will get near 50 MPG. Too good to be true? No, guess again....with the demand rising for more fuel efficient cars, the Big automakers better cash in before its too late!

http://www.transmitmedia.com/golfTDI
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0801_subaru_boxer_turbodiesel_first_drive/

Nissan Steps It Up With the Infinity G35 Hybrid

The days of hybrid adolescence are far behind us….now every automaker has hybrid offerings that range from daily commuters to trucks and SUV’s. Hybrids were once the prized possession of mundane everyday commuters. Now that GREEN is the new cool….yuppies have jumped at any Hybrid Luxury offering available!

Those offerings are few and far between though! Lexus has had the Hybrid Luxury market cornered for a while now. The Lexus RX 400h starts at $42k and averages 25.5 MPG! The Lexus GS 450h costs a pretty hefty $55k and averages 23 MPG….yuck! And then there is the Lexus 600hL…but for $101k we won’t even go there.

So how come it has taken so long for other companies to branch out into the Luxury hybrid market? Who knows…seems like common sense to me! But now Infinity has stepped up to the plate with a G35 hybrid. The G35 is an enormously popular car in the past…and now with the hybrid available…..it should plant itself as the definition of affordable hybrid luxury!

This Infinity/Nissan will be faster, cleaner, and net better gas mileage than the current G35. Of course it will cost a couple of thousand more but the plus side is this hybrid will net 40% better MPG than the current all-gas powered car…..34 MPG! Take that Lexus….of course we will have to wait for real world testing to authenticate that number! Oh and this car is slated for release in the year 2010. Come on Nissan and get with it….we want this car now!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=130726

Better Late Than Never! Hyundai Joins The Hybrid Race.

Hyundai’s new LPG Hybrid car will be coming to dealerships in mid 2009. Hyundai has recently become the world’s 5th largest automobile maker, and is now poised to join the ranks of the big boys. Better late to the party than never, Hyundai’s LPG will not only be a liquid petroleum gas powered vehicle; it will also be powered by the next generation hybrid batteries. “Lithium-Polymer batteries have significant advantages over lithium-ion batteries including higher energy density, lower manufacturing costs, being more robust to physical damage and they can also take more charge-discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade.” (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/technical/liquid-petroleum-gas-and-lithium-batteries-to-power-hyundais-first-hybrid/)

Hyundai is using is great knowledge of LPG fueled vehicles to keep the price of this hybrid 40% lower than its competitors hybrid cars. And according to Hyundai; the extra saving on fuel will offset the more expensive price of the hybrid model over the base Elantra in 2 years time.

Way to go Hyundai!

Sources: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/jul2008/bw20080710_182945.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_lifestyle
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/09/hyundai-hybrid-first-to-have-lithium-polymer-battery/
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/technical/liquid-petroleum-gas-and-lithium-batteries-to-power-hyundais-first-hybrid/

Volkswagen Polo Sips Its Way To 60 MPG – In Your Face Hybrids!

The Polo may be a step down from the already lowly Rabbit; but it is a giant step forward in terms of Gasoline powered Efficiency. It has 4-doors, a reasonable price tag, and last but not least: a sweet little engine. Europeans have always known what we Americans have been missing: Turbo-diesel power is the way to go! Not only can you get the best MPG from a diesel car, the fuel burns more cleanly, and adding a turbo increases power by using wasted exhaust gasses.

The little engine that could is a 1.4L, 3-cylinder, direct injected, turbo-diesel. This bad boy pumps out a staggering 79-hp. But when combined with a LRR tires, special aerodynamics, and a manual transmission; the Polo can easily obtain the 60 MPG advertised, eat that hybrids. And the little 12-gallon tank will take you well over 700 miles. Sounds good to me!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116314
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4262351.html

Why This Lotus Is Groundbreaking!

At the British Auto Show in London; Lotus unveiled the next step in environmentally friendly cars. The Lotus Eco Elise goes one step further than regular earth friendly cars. While most manufacturers are concerned only with tailpipe CO2 emissions; the Eco Elise jumps ahead of the pack by being built with sustainable materials.

The paint will be water based. The interior will be comprised of bio-degradable materials. The seats, panels, and trim will all contain hemp, eco-wool and sisal. The hardtop will contain solar panel to help power the electrical system.

This car will not only be more environmentally friendly, it will also kick some tail on the track. The usage of these sustainable materials ensures the sportiness of the Eco Elise by further reducing the already feathery weight by another 70 lbs. And in car performance terms, that is a big plus!

Lotus itself has also cleaned up its act. “Dramatic improvements to the culture and operations at Lotus has rewarded the company with staggering reductions in energy (Electricity 14%, Gas 30%) and water (11%) consumed across the Hethel headquarters in 2007, compared to 2006. These advances have coincided with improvements in recycling, with 57% of waste product now being recycled.”
(http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2008/top-2008-Lotus-Eco-Elise.htm)


http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=128807

100 MPG Car…..The Future Is Oh So Near!

Forget this 40-50 MPG peanuts…..The real news is that the X PRIZE Foundation has offered a $10 million prize for the first production vehicle to break that golden 100 Mile Per Gallon barrier. This foundation is the same that recently paid…you guessed it….$10 million for the first suborbital space flight a few years back. This foundation is dedicated to offering large amounts of money to make huge leaps for humanity.

Since Space the Final Frontier has been conquered…might as well solve the gas crisis. Damn….why did I skip Auto Shop Class! I could be rich…..maybe not….you can bet that the big auto makers are already on the case. The Announcement was made at the New York International Auto Show a few months back. And even the Mayor Bloomberg gave his 2 cents on the prize. "Development of a super-efficient car would be a major step forward in the fight against global warming - and it would help us reach our goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in New York City by 30 percent by 2030." Please…..by 2030 we are going to be oil free. It always seems like America is a little behind the times. Why shoot for 100 MPG….that seems easily within reach. I mean we already have Electric cars, Vegetable Oil powered cars, and so on running around. Gas is a thing of the past! In 2009 a cross-country race will determine the winner of the Progressive Automotive X Prize. Check out their website for more info. http://www.xprize.org/x-prizes/automotive-x-prize

Source: http://www.knbc.com/news/15686890/detail.html

http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/files/img/auto/index_main.jpg