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glarnold · 10-02-2013, 02:28 PM

I keep reading that most of the gasoline now has ethanol added. And our Omaha newspaper just reported that all of Nebraska and Iowa would be ethanol only before the end of this month.

Which brings me to my question - if it's all ethanol, why do the pumps keep showing one price for ethanol, and ten cents more for unleaded?

Don't want to start an argument, just trying to figure it out.

Thanks for any help.

GL Arnold

RustyJC · 10-02-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glarnold

I keep reading that most of the gasoline now has ethanol added. And our Omaha newspaper just reported that all of Nebraska and Iowa would be ethanol only before the end of this month.

All ethanol, as in 100%? The flex fuel vehicles are only designed for E85, which is 85% ethanol. Non-flex fuel vehicles are generally limited to 10% ethanol, or E10, although the EPA is attempting to arbitrarily push this to 15% without the automakers' approval.

The 2 prices you're seeing are typically for E10 regular unleaded and E85.

Although I understand why the farm lobby in Nebraska and Iowa might want E100, who would they sell it to?

Rusty

glarnold · 10-02-2013, 02:49 PM

Think I probably expressed it clumsily. What I meant was that all of the fuel would contain some ethanol. Currently, we have available "ethanol" (10% alcohol) and "unleaded" (no alcohol). With ten cents difference in price. Stickers are now showing up on the pumps saying "May contain some ethanol."

Kind of confusing to me.

GL Arnold

RustyJC · 10-02-2013, 02:51 PM

Oh, OK. 10% ethanol (E10) is a required fuel for EPA non-attainment areas. We haven't had access to non-ethanol fuel in Harris (Houston) and surrounding counties here in Texas for years. I'm surprised that Nebraska and Iowa have had non-E10 gasoline available until now.

Rusty

Clayobx · 10-02-2013, 03:01 PM

We have non ethanol at several stations in our area, panhandle of FL., most boaters use non. It is more expensive at the pump as GL pointed out. If storing your RV for a period of time as I do my boat, rarely used, add marine Sta-Bil to your tank it will prevent gelling. I have had the same fuel in the boat for two years now!

townsendr · 10-02-2013, 07:45 PM

From Nebraska, typically a 10% ethanol blend was used to boost octane from 87 to 89 octane, as well as reducing the cost. Mid-Grade (89 octane) was cheaper than 87 octane. Now ethanol is being blended into 87 octane as well. I have been using ethanol blends (10%) since I moved to Nebraska since I moved to Nebraska 12 years ago, including cars, trucks, boat, lawn mower, snowblower.....and have never had an issue yet. I will continue to use ethanol blends with no concerns.

LeeRevell · 10-03-2013, 11:09 AM

In my area of north Florida, there are a few non-ethanol pumps at some stations, for classic cars, motorcycles, boats and small engine equipment only. I had to 'sweet talk' one station clerk to lend me the pump key to get a five gallon can filled for my mower.