Three Things I Hate About Ethanol Fuel

It's Time to Tell It Like It Is!

Marc Rauch

By Marc J. Rauch
Exec. Vice President/Co-Publisher
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Just a few days ago, I responded to a new anti-ethanol YouTube video posted by an auto mechanic. He claims that because ethanol is primarily produced from water, when it combusts in a vehicle engine it causes water-related damage.

Naturally, I went through the facts about why his supposition is so ridiculous, including the fact that ethanol, or another alcohol, has been historically used to safely and efficiently remove water that may form in the fuel system (from natural condensation).

In the back-and-forth correspondence that ensued, he accused me of being such a toady for the ethanol industry that I can't admit that ethanol fuel isn't perfect.

I have to say that he hit a soft spot. I like to think that I judge things fairly, giving serious objective consideration to issues that I pontificate about. With that in mind, I poured myself another cup of coffee and sat down to deliberate the pros and cons of ethanol fuel.

Here's my list:

1. I have to buy the ethanol fuel. I have to use my hard-earned money (as well as not-so-hard-earned money) to purchase the fuel. I mean, why isn't it enough that I paid for the vehicle in the first place? Why do I have to keep spending money to "feed it" like it's a dependent child?

Ancient bust of Ulysses (Wikipedia)

2. I have to drive over to a filling station to get it. I have to waste time and fuel to go to the filling station (often called a "gas station") to perform the most mind-numbing task imaginable, and sometimes my hands get dirty. What's more, every trip to a filling station presents additional health risks, such as the temptation of going inside and succumbing to the various donuts, muffins, ice cream, and candy they wantonly offer for sale. Isn't it hard enough to watch your weight without having to run this sadistic gauntlet? It makes me think of what Ulysses had to go through on his 10-year voyage back to Ithaca and his wife Penelope after the Trojan War. (Hey, when was the last time you came across someone referencing Homer's The Odyssey.)

3. The process is forever repeating itself. The more I drive, the more I have to spend money to buy fuel, waste time, and fend off the junk food monsters. Goddamn it, sometimes I have to do this once or twice every single week. It's practically unbearable.

So there you have it, I have bared my soul, I have come clean about the downside of using ethanol fuels (regardless of the ethanol-gasoline blend level you use). If ethanol was a perfect fuel it would just show up in my fuel tank without having to buy anything or do anything.

Now, to be fair, because after all fairness must be adhered to when objectively discussing this situation. I want to present the things that I hate about gasoline. The only problem is that I don't have the time to do so because I have to go fill my van up with E85, again.

Therefore, I will just provide you with the link to the online version of my 600-page book THE ETHANOL PAPERS. You can read it all for free and make your own informed decision.