In other words, the study says, you get more miles per BTU.
The Nebraska Corn Board said a final report on the study will be available soon.
Conducted with a number of flex fuel vehicles pulled from the Nebraska Transportation Services Bureau, early results seem to indicate that an e85 fuel blend provides the best energy conversion (the lowest amount of energy used per mile). In fact, energy conversion increased as the fuel went from e10 to e20 to e30 to e85.
On a cost per mile estimate, e85 may also top out -- but that all depends on fuel prices on any given day.
While some calculate that since e85 has 26 percent less energy (BTUs) per gallon it should be priced 26 percent less than regular gas. This study may show that thinking to be a bit off base because e85 is more efficient on an energy basis.
On a straight miles per gallon rating, the drop off between e10, e20 and e30 was not all that significant. As expected, though, a somewhat larger drop off in miles per gallon came with e85. Yet the mid-level blends and e85 may prove to be the most cost-effective option.
The study also looked at horsepower and torque -- but that can be covered in a future post once the full report is available.
PHOTO: One of the cars running through the fuel test, which simulated highway and city driving conditions.
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