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Thursday, August 31, 2006

Sobering words for ethanol backers...

The highly respected Consumer's Reports has produced a no-nonsense review of an FFV Tahoe.

They were not amused:

The fuel economy of the Tahoe dropped 27 percent when running on E85 compared with gasoline, from an already low 14 mpg overall to 10 mpg (rounded to the nearest mpg). This is the lowest fuel mileage we’ve gotten from any vehicle in recent years.

and

The FFV surge is being motivated by generous fuel-economy credits that auto-makers get for every FFV they build, even if it never runs on E85. This allows them to pump out more gas-guzzling large SUVs and pickups, which is resulting in the consumption of many times more gallons of gasoline than E85 now replaces.

I've talked about his before (the mileage problem) and while it's a legitimate gripe, it seems to me the rush to ethanol will shoulder mere consumer complaints aside. Still we could be setting up for some market whiplash if ethanol limitations are not fully disclosed and oil/gasoline prices continue to fade.

How low could gas prices go? Some predictions are starting to sound too good to be true.

¶ 7:02 PM

Comments:

Butanol may be part of the answer to the mileage issue.

See http://energyoutlook.blogspot.com/2006/08/higher-alcohols.html

# posted by Tim : 5:01 AM

Tim: Thanks for the head-up. See my post above.

# posted by John Phipps : 3:32 PM

John's World Thursday, August 31, 2006 Sobering words for ethanol backers... The highly respected Consumer's Reports has produced a no-nonsense review of an FFV Tahoe. They were not amused: The fuel economy of the Tahoe dropped 27 percent when running on E85 compared with gasoline, from an already low 14 mpg overall to 10 mpg (rounded to the nearest mpg). This is the lowest fuel mileage we’ve gotten from any vehicle in recent years. and The FFV surge is being motivated by generous fuel-economy credits that auto-makers get for every FFV they build, even if it never runs on E85. This allows them to pump out more gas-guzzling large SUVs and pickups, which is resulting in the consumption of many times more gallons of gasoline than E85 now replaces. I've talked about his before (the mileage problem) and while it's a legitimate gripe, it seems to me the rush to ethanol will shoulder mere consumer complaints aside. Still we could be setting up for some market whiplash if ethanol limitations are not fully disclosed and oil/gasoline prices continue to fade. How low could gas prices go? Some predictions are starting to sound too good to be true. ¶ 7:02 PM Comments: Butanol may be part of the answer to the mileage issue. See http://energyoutlook.blogspot.com/2006/08/higher-alcohols.html # posted by Tim : 5:01 AM Tim: Thanks for the head-up. See my post above. # posted by John Phipps : 3:32 PM Post a Comment << Home US Farm Report host John Phipps surfs the Web so you don't have to... About Me Name: John Phipps Location: Chrisman, Illinois, United States Jan and I farm 1700 acres near Chrisman, IL. I have also written humor and commentary for Farm Journal and Top Producer for 13 years. Please visit my website (www.johnwphipps.com) to learn about my speaking services for your group's next meeting. View my complete profile ARCHIVES April 2006 / May 2006 / June 2006 / July 2006 / August 2006 / September 2006 / October 2006 / November 2006 / December 2006 / January 2007 / February 2007 / March 2007 / April 2007 / May 2007 / June 2007 / July 2007 / August 2007 / advertisement MORE FROM JOHN On the Coffee Table
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