I've believed this for a long time, and absolutely nothing has changed my mind on this. Ethanol-based fuels, as they're currently produced, are nothing more than propaganda at their best.
While there is research underway to convert the cellulose found in things like switchgrass, corn stalks, and most 'waste' organic materials into ethanol, current methods just don't work. Any time you turn edible food into fuel you are making a huge mistake.
The only reason this whole mess has gotten this far is because the eco-movement has become so blinded in their zeal that reality is no longer a part of their reasoning. Anything smacking of being 'green' is instantly pounced upon, and any detractors are considered 'anti-environmental'.
I'm all for alternative fuels. I do believe that a hybrid vehicle can be far more efficient than current gasoline-only vehicles. Take a standard engine, tweak it to produce electricity rather than motive power. Set it to run at a constant speed, one that will produce 110-120% of the energy required for average city speeds. The excess can charge batteries for those times when a little extra oomph is required, as well as powering extras like AC. By running the engine at a constant speed you can fine-tune it for maximum efficiency, and still power the wheels through electrical motors alone.
There is no reason this model cannot work, and replace a majority of average use vehicles on the road today. Most of the cars on the road are used for simple, light tasks that such a vehicle would be ideally suited for. Even better, with the right electric motors, and with a tweaked engine, there's no reason that such a vehicle cannot have as much power as most commuter cars out there.
Agreed, it won't replace every car. There will always be exceptions that require bigger engines, more torque, and so on. But they are just that, exceptions. They are not the rule, and should not be treated as if they were.
If you're still not convinced, lets take a look at what the 'ethanol fuel' movement has done to at least one product out there. Beer. Currently there is a hops shortage, and it's been around for awhile now, and will likely contine for some time. Why? Well for a number of years there has been overproduction, leading to unusually low prices for hops. Since ethanol (E85) fuels have taken off so strongly, a number of farms have switched over to growing corn for these fuels, rather than growing hops. Because of this, the prices of hops have gone through the roof. This will eventually lead to higher beer prices, and nobody wants that. So support your local microbrewery and stop using E85. Please.
DeaconBlues back in the late 20's or early 30's a fela from Maine came up with a fomula for alternative fule for gasoline it was in the form of a pill.You put the pill in your gas tank and fill it wiht water rocked the car vigorously and drove away.Our fela tryed to patten his invention and was refused,big oil,auto and goverment stop him.He was from Maine and died a cupple of years a go the fomula died with him. :(___Ernie of Maine___:)
