On 4/26/13 9:59 AM, Wayne B wrote:
On Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:23:23 -0400, iBoaterer
wrote:

Maybe if the right wouldn't be SO afraid of new technology, we could
move forward and make engines that would be just fine on ethanol.

===

That would be the wrong direction. Ethanol is not a good fuel for
all the reasons previously mentioned:

1. It is inefficient - takes more net energy to produce than it
yields as an engine fuel.

2. Wastes cropland and other agricultural resources.

3. Drives up the federal defecit via farm subsidies.

4. Raises the cost of food and decreases food supplies.

The only people who like ethanol are the farmers and they are lobbying
hard for E15. It's time to stop this nonsense. The wave of the
future for engine fuels is natural gas. We've got tons of it,
supplys are growing, and it is inexpensive and clean burning. Major
trucking companies are already starting to convert and the railroads
are not far behind. Once the infrastructure for distribution and
sales are in place, light trucks and passenger vehicles will be next
in line.



A lot of commercial vehicles and buses in the DC area are running on
CNG. I think the fuel tanks have to be larger to make up for the
compression of the gas and stronger, too. I haven't read of any really
serious downsides to CNG.