[JamesP81]

We need to be going to ethanol. Unlike hybrids or hydrogen gas motors, a simple switch out of the ignition computer chip and the addition of a sensor to the fuel tank will allow a standard internal combustion engine to burn any conceivable mixture of gasoline and ethanol. By having vehicles that can use either, you ease the transition from one fuel to the other. With much less demand, and thus lower prices, crude products can continue to be used to power aircraft, ships, locomotives, and other heavy industrial machinery and be used in the construction of roads, as it always has been, at a much reduced price.

And it will allow us to poke the Saudis in the eye. Which gives a warm-fuzzy feeling.

[Outland]

"...a simple switch out of the ignition computer chip and the addition of a sensor to the fuel tank will allow a standard internal combustion engine to burn any conceivable mixture of gasoline and ethanol."

For most vehicles on the road, it's not that simple. Some components of the fuel system such as hoses and gaskets may not be compatible with high concentrations of ethanol. The fuel injectors may also need upgrading.

[chaosagent]

"We need to be going to ethanol."

That's a no-win idea.

It takes more energy to plant, fertilize, harvest, and refine the corn into ethanol than you get from burning the ethanol in your car.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Some ethanol makes sense, even though it is a loser to plant, grow, and refine ethanol. It does act as an antiknock compound in small quantities. Much better on the ground water than MTBE.

[Lx]

I forget which one whether it's ethyl or methyl but one will attack the rubber in your fuel lines. Also, alcohol has less thermal energy so you burn more.
Here in California, alomst every pump says it's possible that the gas you're buying may have alcohol in it.
I'm all for something that limits our dependence on foreign oil. Right after we use up the rest of the world's supply.