I wrote a diary about E85 last week. I like the fact there is an alternative at the pump for people right now. I am not saying E85 is any way going to lead to the complete end of our oil dependency because I do not believe it is. However, if one does not own a hybrid car, buying E85 is an alternative for a lot people out there.
I do not own a flexible fuel vehicle. However, my sister, parents, and only cousin do! None of them are using E85. It frustrates me.
Let me preface this by saying that my Dad has Stage 4 Kidney cancer. I don't confront him about anyting except for possibly pursing further treatments for himself. If he were to say the sky is green, I would give him a hug and agree with him. I am going to have the most happy moments I can with him while he is still alive.
However, my Dad hates the war in Iraq, which with both believe is largely about oil. Secondly, for years he has been taking walks and brings a trash bag along to pick up trash so he must care about the environment bit. Lastly, the brand-new Holiday gas station less than a block from my parents house sells E85!
I emailed my Mom about it a few days ago hoping she would give it some thought. She doesn't make decision about their vehicles but I thought I would give it a shot. So today I was out with my parents for lucnh and shopping and I mentioned E85 to my Dad. He told me that he researched and read about in his vehicle manual and decided the cost savings was about a wash considering the lower gas mileage vs. the lower cost at the pump. He also mentioned he would need to use some kind of special oil. I will admit I did not know about this special oil and still don't. Whatever. My Dad has been obssessed with with oil changes for as long I can remember.
Anyway, I told that I emailed Mom a chart showing the cost savings was actually better with E85 even taking into account the lower gas mileage.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byfuel/FFV2000.shtml
My Dad did LOVES saving money, which I think is incredibly endearing since they have plenty of money. I did not find it so endearing growing up.
I passionately threw all my reasons for using E85 at him. Better for the environment. Higher octance fuel regular unleaded. (This one I could barely use since I really don't know what is so great about high octane fuel but I thought he did.) Good for Minnesota farmers(we live in Minnesota.) We all need to do our part to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.
Okay, my passion was soft but heartfelt. I won. First, he is going to go buy the special oil he was referring to but then he is going to start using E85. My dad is very much a rule follower. This is fine if he wants to follow the directs in his vehicle giude. He would not like knowing I am putting 30-40% E85 in my Neon but I am not letting him in on that little secret. Hey, he didn't stop telling me to get oil changes until I got my married at the age of 35! I gotta be very careful what I reveal about my car.
I am rather proud of myself. 1 down. 2 more to go. Then, I'll see if I can afford to make my next car a hybrid. E85 is absolutely not going to solve our energy crisis. But I find it very empowering. It is a choice we can make right now until a better alternative comes along. Until hybrids are more readily available and less expensive. There are a lot of people on the road in America right now that do not have to buy gasoline. I hope they know they have an option and are not afraid to take a chance.