I like the bill because it moves us closer to more fuel choices and free market determination of outcomes. Big government will always try to abuse it's power, but this bill is a step away from mandates. Stopping government mandates, subsidies, and other mischief is another problem.
I do wonder about the feasibility of making flex-fuel engines such that one could simply use any fuel (gasoline, methanol, ethanol) that is readily available. As a trained mechanic with much more expertise that I, what can you tell us about the feasibility of such a flex-fuel engine?
“I do wonder about the feasibility of making flex-fuel engines such that one could simply use any fuel (gasoline, methanol, ethanol) that is readily available. As a trained mechanic with much more expertise that I, what can you tell us about the feasibility of such a flex-fuel engine?”
Sure you can, we already have variable valve timing and fuel injection technology, thanks to Racing Car developed technology passing into the mainstream.
Variable valve timing can be used to alter effective compression (within limits), fuel injection and computers can compensate for fuel energy density (within limits).
I actually have a “Flex Fuel” vehicle.
A 1984 Chevy truck, it can run on Propane or Gasoline.
Of course the power and mileage are very poor on propane as it has less latent energy and the engine was not built specifically for propane.
The propane tank also uses up half the cargo area.
We have the ABILITY to do almost anything, Fed. willing, but the price and complexity would be ridiculous.
The resulting car would require either massive subsidies (Hello Volt!) or forced purchase via legislation (Hello air-bags, catalytic converters, 5 MPH bumpers, side impact Beams, third tail light, etc!).
The difference in required fuel flow rate would probably require additional fuel injectors for the less dense fuels.
The added complexity will accelerate the rate at which cars become disposable, the cost of labor for repair can exceed the value of the car, even relatively new cars.
This trend is already apparent, particularly for major items such as transmission or engine failures.
Once out of (extended?) warranty modern cars have little remaining value.
It is less energy consuming to repair a car than to make one, but few people ever think of that.
Like so many other Gov. Org. programs to save us from ourselves, it’s all just a matter of forcing us to bear the cost.
I suppose that if the Gov. Org. can mandate the purchase of medical insurance, I guess they can also mandate we buy a new car with the latest gee-wiz technology every three years too?