The Problem With E85

Last week, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh is standing beside the only E85 gas pump in Terre Haute, Indiana urging people (on TV, of course) to use E85. He said that it helps Hoosier farmers because the fuel is made with corn. True, so far. What the good senator forgot to add is that your fuel economy will suffer if you use E-85. By how much? It varies from vehicle to vehicle. A 2006 Chevy Silverado 2WD with a 5.3 liter V8 engine gets 20 MPG on the highway using gasoline. It manages 16 MPG using E85. So, if E-85 is 4/5 or 80% as efficient as gasoline, the price should be 80% that of gasoline. IT ISN'T. To break even, when gasoline sells for $2.88 per gallon, E85 should sell for $2.30 per gallon, just to break even!
The most important thing to mention, here, is that not all motor vehicles are suited for E-85. Can your vehicle safely use E-85? Call your authorized dealer's service department and ask them. Have your 17 diget vehicle identification number (VIN) handy. They can quickly tell you if it's ok to use E85. If you use the stuff and your car is not designed to use E85, your "check engine soon" light will come on telling you that your engine, fuel line and gas tank are being damaged.
Price and potential damage, senator, is why there is only one E85 fuel pump in Terre Haute, Indiana.