Ethanol (E 10 – 90 and 87) : Sweet or Sour ?

In most cultures people resist change. Change is usually rejected and frowned upon by the common man.

 One of the ways through which this stigma is fought is through the use of a public education program. I remember when PETROJAM had an event at the National Stadium to roll out its ethanol products (E10). I distinctly remember that brochures were available, informing the motoring public about ethanol (E10).

Mileage

As I read a brochure I found a section rather interesting. It explained that by comparison, regular petrol (without ethanol) gave a better gas mileage than E10. Essentially if price was my only concern, the benefit of buying E10 at a cheaper price cancelled itself out, because I would have to buy more of it to cover the same distances.

It is a fact that some car makers indicate that their vehicles are not ethanol compatible and the much older cars, classic, vintage or historic cars are not ethanol compatible.

For most of the old vehicles, there are components which must be changed, at considerable cost, inorder to guarantee E10 compatibility. It is also suggested that the gas filter should be changed to remove particles collected as ethanol ‘cleans’ the fuel system. In some reported cases, fuel pumps have been affected negatively and as such had to be changed.

So imagine my surprise when I found out that based on government directives only E10 would be available at our pumps (it started in November ‘09). 

Democracy

The last time I checked, we live in a democratic society where we elect representatives who should act on our behalf. All I am saying is give us a choice. It is my view that individuals who want to purchase E10 should be allowed to do so and persons who want regular petrol should be allowed to make their purchase at their local gas station.

If we are moving to environmentally friendly products so be it. I am all in where ‘green’ energy is concerned but, at the same time, do not force things down our throats, especially a fuel which despite being made from sugar- cane (in our case) leaves a rather sour taste.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer