First Tank of E85

[MotionMan]

Thought I would try, it was only 25 cents less, it's usually more but I think corn is more expensive now. I did notice a nice increase in Power but the MPG went from 12 to 9. So let's do the math, 3mpg over 33 gal is 100 miles lost. At 12 MPG that's 8 gal at .25 saved per gallon or $2.00, at 9 MPG it's 11 gal or $2.77. E85 is the worst scam perpetrated on the American public since Botox, it may look good on top but below its not worth it. Let me know if my math is wrong, I lost an hour of sleep and may not be thinking clear? crazy DST....?

[becker87]

Usually it is a lot cheaper than .25 cents. I would guess it is that individual gas station that is gouging you. Corn is not high right now, much lower than what it was a few years ago. Here where I am E85 is about 70 cents cheaper. Ethanol is a superior fuel and more people should be using it. Do some research.

[Cowpie]

It is only the "worse scam" depending on the price spread, which of course, can vary from place to place around the country. In my area, the price spread is 3 times what the OP experienced. For what pricing is in your area, no it is not worth it.

 

For instance, in my area, E10 is going for about $2.25. At the average of 13-14 mpg my 2500 gets on it, that comes to about 17 cents a miles fuel cost.

 

E85 in my area, $1.80 a gallon, and the typical 11 mpg I get with it, that comes to roughly 16 cents a mile fuel cost, so the cost per mile is about breakeven to a little less on E85 in my area.

 

When compared to ethanol free regular or premium, E85 is a clear winner by a considerable margin, from a cost per mile standpoint. And since E85 is 100 octane, if one has a flex fuel capable vehicle and doesn't use it in lieu of premium, they are just spending more than they need to. Again, depends on area of the country.

[becker87]

Think I have said this before, but watch "Pump" on netflix. Will give you some nice insight into the world of different fuels.

[Cowpie]

Without getting a subscription to Netflix, what is their overall point in what they say?

[becker87]

There is a lot of information in the documentary but the overall message of the show is to give the consumer choice at the pump, from E85+ to premium and even methanol like was offered 20s. The reason only one station where I live is because the oil companies don't make as much on ethanol products so they limit our choices. Also gets into the different products that can be made into ethanol and the economical benefits it would bring to certain parts of the world and a few other interesting facts like the coloration between our military bases in the middle east compared to the location of the main areas the US gets its oil.

 

Very interesting show, if you get a chance watch it. It is not a pro ethanol documentary, it is all about pro choice for different fuels.

[becker87]

https://www.youtube.com/user/PUMPtheMovie2014

 

 

found it on you tube

[revrnd]

It is only the "worse scam" depending on the price spread, which of course, can vary from place to place around the country. In my area, the price spread is 3 times what the OP experienced. For what pricing is in your area, no it is not worth it.

 

For instance, in my area, E10 is going for about $2.25. At the average of 13-14 mpg my 2500 gets on it, that comes to about 17 cents a miles fuel cost.

 

E85 in my area, $1.80 a gallon, and the typical 11 mpg I get with it, that comes to roughly 16 cents a mile fuel cost, so the cost per mile is about breakeven to a little less on E85 in my area.

 

When compared to ethanol free regular or premium, E85 is a clear winner by a considerable margin, from a cost per mile standpoint. And since E85 is 100 octane, if one has a flex fuel capable vehicle and doesn't use it in lieu of premium, they are just spending more than they need to. Again, depends on area of the country.

Cowpie, I always like reading your posts, great calculations.

 

It reminds me of trying to converse w/ my friends on snowmobile rides (which I eventually gave up). My brother & I always used premium to get away from the ethanol in our 2 strokes, the rest of them ran regular because it was cheaper.

 

After a fuel stop, 1 of them would ask, how much gas did you use from Place X? 13 Liters I'd replied. Then I'd ask them how much and they'd say it took them 34 dollars to fill up. Which didn't help because the pricing was different.

 

 

They had no idea how many liters they used. After a few trips like this, I just gave up trying to compare fuel usage.

[Cowpie]

https://www.youtube.com/user/PUMPtheMovie2014

 

 

found it on you tube

 

 

That seemed to be only a trailer for the movie, the movie must be purchased via iTunes, Netflix, whatever.

 

What I got from the trailer seemed to express the monopoly of the oil companies on what fuels are available. Would agree to a limited extent, but I blame government more than the oil companies. Most of the oil companies in America actually are major investors in ethanol production as well. They want to sell fuel. They could care less what form it comes in. They don't care if fuel is made from corn, sugar, natural gas, or crude. It all makes them money.

[jhbrennan]

Usually it is a lot cheaper than .25 cents. I would guess it is that individual gas station that is gouging you. Corn is not high right now, much lower than what it was a few years ago. Here where I am E85 is about 70 cents cheaper. Ethanol is a superior fuel and more people should be using it. Do some research.

 

But E85 is so highly subsidized...do we even know the "true" cost of a gallon of E85. Take away the corn subsidies and factor in the reduced MPG, using E85 makes no sense.

[KARNUT]

Some people would pay for the 25 HP. I paid 3500$ to put a S/C on a 99 ford p/u, I think I net 40 HP. That's a lot of gas money.

 

But E85 is so highly subsidized...do we even know the "true" cost of a gallon of E85. Take away the corn subsidies and factor in the reduced MPG, using E85 makes no sense.

[becker87]

 

 

Try this one.

 

[becker87]

 

But E85 is so highly subsidized...do we even know the "true" cost of a gallon of E85. Take away the corn subsidies and factor in the reduced MPG, using E85 makes no sense.

 

 

 

A lot of negative things out there about ethanol that are not always true. If you do have some time I recommend you watch the link I just posted.

[gmcleer]

I've heard you should change your oil more often when running E85. Anyone know why? Also, I'm still breaking my truck in. Did you guys wait until a certain mileage before using E85?

[jhbrennan]

 

 

 

A lot of negative things out there about ethanol that are not always true. If you do have some time I recommend you watch the link I just posted.

 

I just said two things - which is not true...that E85 is subsidized or that mpg is lower on E85 than with E10 gasoline. I watched the video and am not convinced it's a good deal...but we each have choices.