I really don't think so. For starters, ethanol has 30% less BTU's per gallon than gasoline (less energy). Meanwhile, since ethanol has an octane of 110, it gives an incentive for the other 90% of gas to be a lower octane to meet the 87 standard.

Ethanol is a scam. Why else would ethanol be mandatory in New York? This is the same state that *mandates* putting chemicals (additives) in cigarettes. I'm not kidding, come buy a pack and look at the huge black bar next to the barcode. That's the sign of compliance, and the cigs taste like crap (fortunately, natural cigs are exempt).

New York is the same state that used MBTE until recently, and is now struggling with the environmental impact.

Demand real gas.

I'm confused. So NY switches to E10 because of the MBTE environmental impact so it's a scam?

Yeah, but ethanol is not an octane booster. Octane boosters such as methanol (listed as an ingredient on my last purchase) and acetone (octane 150) are added OUNCES per tank. Ethanol is added GALLONS per tank. So think again.

zpiloto: >I'm confused. So NY switches to E10 because of the MBTE environmental impact so it's a scam?

Point is, New York will screw with any product as long as it involves screwing with it. Mandating cigarette additives is a fiasco. MBTE was a fiasco. So you think they got it right this time?

It's better than MTBE, being government mandated doesn't make it a scam, ;)

I don't have any links for this(now MY lazy is kicking in:p ) but I have seen where ethanol lowered two types of polution but, it actually raised a couple of others. The way ethanol is being pushed here-made from corn-is going to backfire in a big way by raising food costs. I read recently that Mexico is already experiencing shortages of corn for flour, tortillas, etc. Until ethanol can be made from things like corn stalks and other cellulose sources it won't work.

I don't think the enzyme technology is that far in the future. They'll be making ethanol from grass about the time big oil is looking for new poison to sell.

Ethanol is an octane booster. Full stop.

In some places ethanol is added to 87 octane RUL to make 89 octane midgrade.

Your position was summarized when you said, "Who cares about BTUs?"

E10 has ~3.5% less energy than gasoline. Is 3.5% important to hypermilers?

I would call it "watered-down."

Luckily I have one of those stations that sells 92 octane non-oxygenated and no ethanol in it. It makes for some very nice MPG numbers!

Hmm, unless they choose to not post it, the local BP's and Sheetz's don't have E-10.