Ethanol Fuel Efficiency - MPG Marine & Autos.

Studies and reports on cost and mpg vary widely,

but all reports agree E10 and ethanol-blend fuels have a lower energy value (EV)

and will decrease MPG (miles per gallon).

E10 gasoline usually lowers MPG by about 2 to 7 %.

Many consumers and some studies support E10 gas can decrease MPG up to 20%!

Not only have gas prices been increasing, but a gallon of E10 gas will drive fewer miles.

Studies conducted by the EPA and ACE (ethanol.org) report a 2 to 3 % reduction in mpg for most cars.

Many studies conducted are misleading because they compare cost rather than distance, based on the inaccurate assumption that gas prices would drop because E-10 fuel is cheaper to produce.

Due to current high and rising gas prices, the only method to compare E-10 gas with conventional non-alcohol gas is to compare efficiency and distance, not price per gallon.

A 2 to 3 % reduction in fuel economy = 1 mile/gallon fuel economy reduction in a car that averages 27 mpg.

A 4 to 6 % reduction in fuel economy = 2 miles/gallon fuel economy reduction in a car that averages 27 mpg.

Cars that average a lower mpg, will have a proportionally greater reduction, and higher loss of mileage/gallon with E10 gas.

E85 generates only about 75 percent as much power as a gallon of gasoline. That means that ethanol would have to be roughly 25-40 percent cheaper per gallon to be a bargain for consumers, which it is not true today.

More costly than the reduction in mpg, is the damage and negative effects alcohol gasoline can have on engines and parts.

Consumers have not been properly educated on E10 and often are unaware of actions they must take to prevent problems from ethanol fuels.

In fairness, I want to mention a report published by the EPA titled Fuel Economy and Engine Performance, which states that the EPA believes that oxygenates (ethanol) cause "minimal reduction in mpg" - The EPA stated,

"...many engine performance problems are due to factors other than gasoline and may be corrected by relatively simple consumer actions..."

AND the EPA continued to support ethanol with statements such as,

"Consumer concerns about large reductions in fuel economy are not supported...research indicates that that the largest fuel economy loss that can be attributed to the presence of oxygenates is 3 %...".

See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/ostp-3.pdf for complete report.

If the EPA believes the negative effects from oxygenated ethanol blend fuels "may be corrected by relatively simple consumer actions", why don't consumers know what these necessary actions are?

May 2008 - Page and article update in progres...

Who reaps the profits of increased gasoline consumption (3 to 40%), due to the lower efficiency of E10 and E85?

Answers very widely, and this issue is widely debated...

- If you ask gas station owners they he did not lower the cost of a gallon of gasoline, after switching to an E10 blend - Often they will reply that the cost remained the same to compensate for the costs incurred to service tanks to be compatible with E10.

(When switching from conventional fuel, especially when it contained MTBE, the station pumps/tanks must first be drained and cleaned and free of water and any debris (and any rust, dirt, etc.).

The truth - The gas stations have already received compensation from other sources (mostly government) to switch to ethanol fuels - The cost probably does not need to be passed on to the consumer.

Also note that when switching to ethanol bend renewable fuels, the fuel companies and stations already receive tax credits and financial incentives for E10 and E85 gas. These government rebates, tax credits and incentives more than compensate for the costs incurred by the fuel distributing companies to prepare tanks to accept ethanol/alcohol.

The reason the tanks must be serviced prior to switching to alcohol fuels is because alcohol is a solvent, cleanser, readily absorbs water...See "About Ethanol Fuels" for more information on ethanol's chemical properties.

Sadly, consumers all to often incur additional costs beyond the price of gasoline when using E10.

Mechanical problems when using alcohol fuels are common, especially in older engines when switching from non-alcohol to alcohol gasoline. The release of years of accumulation of rust, sediment, and other material in your engine, will also be removed and released or dissolved or disintegrated from your engine and engine parts - Result is costly repairs from clogged filters, disintegration and drying of parts (especially rubber and plastic) and numerous other malfunction of motors caused by ethanol/alcohol.

See on ethanol "problems/damage" and "disadvantages" for more information.

- Due to a rapid change in supply and demand for farm produced ingredients (corn, grains, etc.) used to produce ethanol (ethyl alcohol), some believe the rise in prices for gas is due to the increase in costs to produce ethanol. This is probably true, and can also be noted in the rise in prices at your local supermarket for corn and other edible food products that now are in greater demand because they are also utilized to produce ethanol alcohol for fuel use.

In reviewing this argument supporting the high cost of gasoline, one must ask the governement and EPA - Why did we pass laws mandating use of ethanol in public fuel supply, if we did not have enough corn and grains available and needed to produce ethanol for fuel use?

- Service and maintain your engines to obtain the highest fuel efficiency -

The varied report resultsof tests performed on mpg and ethanol renewable fuels is due to the many factors that can effect vehicle fuel efficiency.

Alcohol affects your engine in so many ways. Depending on the type and condition of your engine, will determine how much your mpg will decrease when switching to E10 fuel.

Older or poorly serviced engines will notice the greatest loss of mpg with E10 use.

There are many measures you can take to improve your vehicle's mpg. Even something as simple as checking and changing filters often, which will become dirty quicker when using E10 (due to it's cleansing & solvent abilities), will improve your mpg.

There are several other motor modifications and precautions necessary when switching and using E10 fuel. Consult a mechanic and your owners manual for advice.

Older engines, especially those manufactured prior to late 1990's -2000, often have parts that are not alcohol resistant.

It is necessary to check and chane these parts prior to sitching to E10, to prevent unnecessary engine damage and repairs.

Many engines manufactured advise against using any ethanol or methanol fuels. Check your engine's owner's manual fuel recommendations for fuel requirements or contact us to request information.

If your engine owner's manual and/or warranty contract forbids use of alcohol fuels,

you will not be reimbursed for any engine damage that is a result of E10 and alcohol blend fuel use!

This is one of the greatest conerns and objections against alcohol ethanol fuel use.

Engine owners are shocked and outraged when they learn that the manufacturer and/or warranty will not reimburse for damage caused by E10 misuse.

Since the U.S. government and EPA has mandated the addition of ethanol to our fuel supply, manufacturers have changed the fuel recommendation to include E10 fuels.

E85, FFV's and AFV's are designed to be compatible with blends up to 85 % ethanol.

All other engines currently being manufactured usually allow for 10% or lower ethanol blend fuels.

Be very cautious when adding any additional fuel treatment products to your fuel supply.

Problems arise when engine owners unknowingly use fuel blends containing over 10% alcohol.

This is often due to improper addition of ethanol to the fuel (usually by the truck drivers and/or local fuel distributors.

Can also be due to motor owners adding fuel additives that also contain alcohol to the fuel tanks.

Several popular fuel products (additives, cleansers, etc.) are alcohol based. Example: Evinrude BRP 2+4 fuel conditioner contains 95% isopropyl alcohol.

Carefully review ingredients of all fuel treatment products before using. Review the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for specific ingredients of the product.

Many alcohol chemical names end in "ol". E.G. ethan"ol", methan"ol".

Sometimes the common name of alcohol based ingredients is not so obvious. E.G. Carbon disulfide = Alcohol Sulfuris and Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia = Ammonia in alcohol.

See page titled Fuel Additives and Treatments for more information.

Boaters - View: Ethanol Fuel Use in Marine - Boat - Outboard Engines

Find more information on ethanol fuels at navigation menu on left side of page.

Some common names of alcohols:

alcohol, grain = ethyl alcohol

alcohol sulfuris = carbon disulfide

alcohol, wood = methyl alcohol

aromatic spirit of ammonia = ammonia in alcohol

ethanol = ethyl alcohol

methanol = methyl alcohol

methylated spirits = methyl alcohol

rubbing alcohol = isopropyl alcohol

spirit of wine = ethyl alcohol