06-04-09 by dugan
The best use of biofuels like ethanol is not in the tank, but in making electricity to fuel all-electric cars, says a new study in Science magazine (free abstract, subscription pdf). I expect that’s right from a pure science view, but practicality points to using biofuels directly in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles–what OilWatchdog suggests in its "Road to Cleaner and Cheaper" report. The cost and range of all-electric cars will keep them unavailable to us lunch-bucketers for too many years to come.
The study, out of Stanf
ord and UC Merced, proves its case on the numbers–the efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions of biofuels are vastly better when used to make electricity, then using the power to run ultraclean electric vehicles. So maybe it’ll be the ultimate best path. But like a lot of perfect-vs-good choices, it shouldn’t be used to prevent an affordable compromise.
So where’s my flex-fuel hybrid? Ford was testing one in 2007, a version of its Escape hybrid, but it’s gone nowhere since. GM/Saab had a concept flex/hybrid Saab 9-3, also in 2007, but that’s clearly off the boards with GM’s dismantlement.
Part of the problem is that the auto business is just a mess at the moment. But there’s also a nagging lack of biofuel availability. Not one of the big brands offers a branded biofuel, and Chevron, ExxonMobil, etc., actively discourage dealers from putting in ethanol or biodiesel pumps. So, luckily, it’s another chance to blame Big Oil.