Day 4 brings a rant about fuel...
I've been a big supporter of biofuel since around 2005. It's
gotten plenty of bad press, mostly because it's subsidized here in
the U.S., but I've never bought into the idea that subsidies make it
worthless. Back then, the Bush administration pushed E85 as a way to
cut down on foreign oil, and for a while flex fuel cars were
everywhere, especially between 2003 and 2014. Here in the U.S, corn
is king, so corn based ethanol became the main source. Corn isnt
the most efficient way to make biofuel. Other crops and methods can
do better. But even with its flaws, I still think it beats oil and
even electric vehicles.
Price in 2016
I've been running ethanol blends in my cars for years, even the ones
that aren't flex fuel. Honestly, I've had no real issues. Some cars
are a little pickier, but most handle it fine. I usually alternate
between E85 and E15, depending on what's available and how the car
feels.
Around here, E10 is the standard fuel anyway, and it works in
everything. That's the baseline most of us are already using without
thinking about it. So stepping up to higher blends doesnt feel like
a big leap, it's just another option at the pump. And in my area,
ethanol blends are widely available, which makes it even easier to
choose them.
Support for ethanol has sadly been fading. Too many people have
bought into the undeserving boogie man arguments pushed by
propaganda. Even some mechanics repeat misinformation, which only
adds to the confusion.
Ethanol blends aren't perfect, but they're not the villain they're
made out to be. Most drivers already use E10 without thinking twice.
Higher blends like E15 and E85 are just extensions of that same
idea, renewable fuel mixed into the system we already have.
It's frustrating to see the narrative shift, because the benefits
havent gone away. Ethanol is still renewable, still domestic, and
still a cleaner option than straight gasoline. The misinformation
just makes people forget that.
High prices in 2022
Current fuel prices 12/04/2025
87: $2.85
88 (e15): $2.80
89: $3:35
93: $3.85
e85: $2.55
