It was Mythbusters E85 edition late last month -- in Bossier City, USA during a symposium on E85 fuel (also known as E-Flex fuel in Australia).

Five panelists helped to dispel myths about bio fuels. The first myth was that some people believe vehicles running on petrol and E85 (flex fuel that is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol) get fewer kilometers per litre than regular petrol.

Panelist Steve Richardson, of the consulting firm Public Solutions Group, helped dispel this myth by presenting up to date facts: “When flex-fuel vehicles first came on the market years ago, there was a 25 percent decrease in fuel efficiency”, he said. "But that's not the case today. Now we see a maximum of only 9 to 11 percent."

Richardson acknowledged that switching back and forth between petrol and E85 decreases fuel efficiency. However, the loss in mileage can certainly be made up in price. e85 costs about 30 to 40 cents less per litre than petrol, Richardson explained.

Another panelist was General Sales Manager of Red River Chevrolet, Eddie Holman. Holman said that ethanol is cleaner than petrol.

During a demonstration Holman witnessed recently, petrol and ethanol were burned off in two bowls. The bowl with the petrol was completely black by the end, while the ethanol bowl was still clear, he said.

Fuel efficiency, emissions and safety were the primary areas addressed by the panelists.

Mayor Lo Walker emphasized that there are several reasons his city decided to champion the use of alternative fuels. The first, he said, is the health of the city's residents: since  E85 emissions are much less than petrol and diesel.

"We have to control emissions," Walker said. "They can cause respiratory problems, especially in children and the elderly."

High emissions also can have a negative effect on economic development, especially if there are too many pollutants in the air.

"It would become a very expensive problem," Walker said. "Other than health reasons, one of the worst things that can happen is when people become reluctant to come into a city and start a business, because it has been determined that the air is too polluted.”

source: Shreveport Times