The Disadvantages
-Aldehyde, a function of ethanol volume is a threat to the nose, eyes, throat and may possible cause cancer.
-Ethanol also costs a lot more then gasoline and can take up 33% more to the consumer’s annual budget. (U.S. department of energy.)
- In Quebec E5 may be purchased at 91.3 cents/litre, while gas at that time only costs 88.3 cents/litre.
-Ethanol has a lower per litre energy value. It takes more to drive the same distance as gasoline.
-The consumers would have to fill their cars more often.
-A blend of E10 or higher, will cost a consumer, driving a regular car, 1200$ to have their engines adapted. They may also have to drive farther to the special service stations with ethanol (although this will change once widely used.)
-If water enters the fuel tank it’ll dilute the ethanol, it’ll also absorb and carry dirt inside the fuel lines and fuel tank and contaminate the engine system.
-Ethanol is more explosive and flammable then gas due to it’s rich octane content.
-Requires massive use of cropland to supply meaningful power.
The Advantages
- The use of Ethanol replaces bad gasoline additives MTBE and lead.
- It’s a replacement for Oil, which is not going to last for ever.
- It’s a renewable source of energy.
-It uses agri-products as a feedstock.
- It creates more jobs in the rural sector.
-Another big point is that ethanol can reduce Green house emissions (GHG) with E10 reducing GHG by 3.9% and E85 by 37.1%. If ethanol production can be expanded to 1 billion litres per year by 2010, those percentages would change to 4.6% and 44.5% respectively and to the Kyoto accord this figures would account for 0.8 -1% of the total reduction needed.
-Since ethanol is rich in octane, a more complete form of combustion occurs, reducing emissions.
All in all, people have to see the good and the bad of ethanol. But I must say, with the proper work all the problems listed here can be fixed and ethanol just may become the next great source of fuel!