Ok, about buying a new vehicle which runs on corn (ethanol)?

Question

I heard the gas made out of corn is cheaper than the gas bought from Mobile or Exxon. What kind of cars run on corn fuel and how do you know if your car is able to use it?

I live in Illinois and I am interested in alternative fuel to support our farmers, and think I should buy my next car to support the gas made out of corn. There is corn and soybean fields on all 4 sides of me in the summer time. What kinds of cars run on the new corn gas, and how hard is it to find at a gas station in Illinois?

Answer 1

Ford and GM have been making flex-fuel vehicles for years. Often the owner is unaware that his/her vehicle has this capability. On Fords they can be identified by a leaf insignia on the side or back of the car.

Alcohol may not be cheaper than gasoline right now, but perhaps as supplies of non-renewable oil get pinched, the economics will tilt in favor of alcohol which is largely renewable. How much fossil fuels are used in the production of alcohol is really a matter of economics. As renewables become more economical to use then perhaps alcohol will be used in the production of more alcohol in the future. I would say, let economics drive that part with a little push from government and government incentives.

Timothy D.

West Melbourne, FL

Answer 2

I don't know WHY THEY DON"T MAKE ETHANOL (alcohol) FROM SUGAR! It is way cheaper and sugar produces more alcohol. The yeasts feed on the sugars!

Corn Ethanol is a scam!! Created by the corn farmers.

Sugar is the way to go!!!

Answer 3

Any car that can run on flexfuel can run on ethanol (corn fuel).

It might be a little cheaper but it has a lower heating value.  It actually takes 1/3rd more ethanol to run the same distance as gasoline.  Ethanol is cheaper at the pump but is more expensive per mile.

Answer 4

As pointed out by foody, ethanol is cheaper per volume (gallon), but has less energy per volume, so you need 4 gallons of ethanol to go the same distance as 3 gallons of gasoline, and it ends up costing you more money.

On top of that, a recent study found that corn-based ethanol actually releases much more greenhouse gases than gasoline.  This is because it increases the demand for corn, which means more land has to be used to grow corn, which means there's less land for CO2-absorbing forests and grassland.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Any "Flex Fuel" vehicle can run on ethanol fuel.  However, if you want to save money on fuel and benefit the environment, you should get a gas/electric hybrid rather than a flex fuel vehicle.

Answer 5

Corn ethanol is proof that gov't can even s***w up a good idea. Of all the possible ways of making ethanol. corn is the LEAST efficient. We already have pilot plants to  make it from switchgrass, and it looks as if making it from algae could be even better. Most cars made today with flexfuel capability can run on E-85 and E-100.

And about CO2 - Ethanol does NOT inject CO2 that has been sequestered for millions of years. it just operates on a 1 year cycle, which does no harm or good to the 'AGW problem'.

Answer 6

In addition to the two responses above, I'd like to add that the way ethanol is produced now, it also requires a significant amount of petroleum/natural gas to make.  Then, if solar power or some clean energy were used to make it instead, just providing enough for the United States to replace petroleum completely would require an estimated 70-75% of ALL the cultivated land on EARTH.  And, because corn used for fuel is removed from the area (unlike corn for food where only the ears are harvested), it depletes the soil of nutrients and is not sustainable without the introduction of more fertilizers every year, which is another environmental disaster itself.

Answer 7

Get a cow. They run directly on corn though it is more economical to supplement with grass and other wild vegetables. They do produce a lot of greenhouse gas though and give a rather bumpy ride. They are prone to stopping wherever there is fresh green grass, though that is not always a bad thing. They give milk too, so always take cookies when riding a cow.

Oh, and be certain it is not a bull. No milk, nasty disposition, unbearably bumpy ride while it lasts. Do NOT try milking it but always be ready to run like the blazes.

Answer 8

Good idea in many ways, but won't this eventually make corn more expensive for it's other uses too! I don't know that's y im asking!

I'm all for a green and pleasant land.