Posted on 02/14/2013 2:31:01 PM PST by thackney
Since Diesel is more dense, holds more energy than gasoline in weight, and requires less refining, then why does it cost 10%-15 % more at the pump ?
Is it strictly the amount of Road Taxes ?
“Is it strictly the amount of Road Taxes ?”
No, it was getting the particulates out of the fuel (low sulfur), as in “clean diesel”. They have done that, but it’s adding at least 50 cents per gallon to the cost.
That three little diamonds, just above the 0.00, represent different types of batteries. The one on the right is probably Lithium Ion. So you get an idea of what you’re dealing with. That’s why running the heater on an electric car is a battery-killer, while running the heater on a gas car is free heat (that would have been rejected by the engine or radiator anyway).
Is it strictly the amount of Road Taxes ?
I noticed a "bump" in Diesel prices when refiners introduced the "low sulfur" product. I would imagine that there may be low sulfur (sweet) crude but just like low sulfur coal there isn't enough to satisfy demand. That would lead to additional processing at the refinery to reduce/remove sulfur from the product. Refining crude oil often involves catalytic processing with precious metals like platinum.
Prior to the low sulfur product, Diesel was close to a dollar less than gasoline. Of course both were subject to road taxes. At that time I was heating my house with "heating oil" which was #2 Diesel dyed red to indicate "for off-road use only". My last oil fill was $680 for 168 gallons with out the road tax. That's $4.05 a gallon when gasoline was in the $3 range w/ tax included. I called the jobber and asked "why so high" and he said "special handling". I switched over to natural gas heat, the savings paid for the new boiler in three years.
Take your pick, it could be caused by legitimate processing costs or rapacious greed. Maybe a little of each...
Regards,
GtG
So ethanol is heavier than gasoline, and is more dense according to the graph.
But also ethanol has fewer Btu’s for energy.
So , our $4.00 per gallon ethanol gas would cost us approximately $4.35 as a pure gas ?
The $4.00 per gallon ethanol gas doesn’t include government subsidy to the ethanol industry .
Personaly, I would rather have corn for feed and nutrition of humans and domestic annimals during a drought,
rather than the intransigent EPA trying to get 15% ethanol gas usage during a drought.
Anthracite!
That’s it, Im getting me a coal powered car!
“So , our $4.00 per gallon ethanol gas would cost us approximately $4.35 as a pure gas ?”
Actually, no. Look again...more like $6.00. There simply is not as much energy in ethanol (that’s why drunks pass out). You are right, there is NO REASON to keep trying to use ethanol for fuel. With fracking, we have what we need and will have more and more of it. Use the corn to feed the animals...rather than having to kill them early (i.e., I like cows).
bkmk
The simple refining ended with the EPA ultra low sulfur diesel requirements. Even the most sweet crude requires hydro treater and the like. Simple cut of the topping plant cannot be sold in the US.
So my visions of a coal powered mobile electric car recharging tow vehicle may actually be more efficient than a diesel version?
Also I forgot to include you get more BTUs, more energy per gallon with diesel so it helps justify the price. You can travel the same miles for less gallons with diesel over gasoline.
The ethanol subsidy ended a little over a year ago. The mandate to use remains.
Why shouldn’t you pay more for more btus?
Forger the electricity, use your coal to generate steam!
Of course, steam for the turbine generator so we can charge the helpless, stranded electric cars and their owners as we tow them on to their destination. This thing would look like part locomotive part motor home and part car carrier. With free WiFi even.
My buddy’s daughter put down 5 grand on a Tesla SUV that won’t even be manufactured until 2014. That boy Elon Musk(rat) is one hell of a salesman.
Oh I almost forgot, my son recommended a steam whistle and a cow catcher.
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