Is Ethanol actually a useful fuel or a scam?

Question

and why?

Answer 1

It is a scam. It takes almost as much energy to make as it does when you use it and so you end up with almost twice as much net energy output.

It's all a big con to keep people doing the things they are now and thinking there are easy answers while the petrochemical/ag industry rakes in big subsidies from the government.

Answer 2

That depends on what you mean by useful. It is quite clear that gasoline and other fossil fuels will eventually run out. One way to tide us over is to use renewable energy sources for our cars. In that sense, Ethanol from biosources is a good idea. There are many problems as others have pointed out already. If you are talking about reducing carbon emissions, biofuels don't help. The real problem might be that costs might eventually make it more lucrative to sell agricultural production for fuel than for food. Then we would have the weird and dangerous situation of humans competing with cars for "food".

Answer 3

Go check EPA milage figures for the same car on B-85 verses gasoline. Almost 50% less mileage on B-85 in many cases.
B-85 is heavily subsidised by the government and takes almost as much energy to produce..(that emits CO2), as it produces. Just like Hydrogen energy. To do this, Nuclear plants must come on line. Wind and solar is too far away.

Answer 4

when a South American country can get by with only ethanol as fuel one can hope that we can do the same.

Answer 5

Useful. It is made from a renewable source. the emmissions are less harmful. The problem is that the infrastructure can't handle the E-85 yet. Another is the amount of BTU's of energy in alcohol is less than that of gas. So you will lose gas mileage in your car.