In the context of blatant self-promotion, (I am a farmer who raises corn, and sells some to a local ethanol plant) I thought I'd share an article on a new engine design from MIT. Basically, they say they can get a 30% increase in MPGs from a gasoline engine (basically the same as a hybrid and closing in on diesel) with no performance loss. Other advantages are less complexity than a hybrid (no batteries, generator, elec. motors, etc) and fairly low cost (they estimate the new engine would add only $1000 to the price tag of a new car).
The disadvantages? Only one I can see. You need one fuel tank for gas, and another for pure ethanol, and would have to fill them separately. Not a big deal, so it seems, as they say it averages 5 gallons of ethanol used per 100 gallons of gas, on average.

Here's the link: web.mit.edu/newsoffice...ngine.html


What do you think? Would you buy one?

I sure would. Of course, I live 17 miles from an actual ethanol plant, so availability wouldn't be a problem like it might for some. Only time will tell how durable the engine would be, but I'd be willing to take the risk. I don't think I'd want one of the very first ones, but maybe after they are out a year or so....

Availabilty would be the only issue i see...yes i would buy one

Plug and promote away my good man. I work in ag and every extra dollar you can help squeeze out of the price of commodities, the better off all of us in Ag will do