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You are correct on both accounts. I apologize publicly and should have checked those facts a little more closely. I had done research back when I was at Minot and haven't re-elected since. The mandated 10% ethanol blend that is required directly cuts down on imported oil though not 10% worth as vehicles get a little worse gas mileage while using it and it does actually take a bit more fuel to produce it than it does to produce gasoline. (Maybe not much though). But back to your OP, yes, at $100, make sure the engine can burn E85 even though I won't use it.
If you wold please read some of the earlier posts in this thread. I and others addressed your concerns about Ethanol.Newer engines, anything built in the last 15 years or so, have stainless steel fuel systems to handle any type of fuel. 30 days storage in a vented container in your hot lawnmower shed, yes the fuel could start to go bad, but who leaves there car set for a month or more without driving it? Have you left straight gas set 30 - 45 days in a similar way, it starts going bad to unless you get the high dollar stuff in a can that is not supposed to go bad for 2 years, at $7.00 a quart it better not. Small engines do have issues, mainly because of fuel mixture calibrations and rubber hose. 2 strokes especially don't like Ethanol it washes out the lubricating oils in the crankcase. You apparently have never used "HEET" in your fuel tank in the cold of winter, because that's what it is and that's what it dose, attracts the water that gets into fuel and keeps it from freezing in the cold, sales of HEET went down after E10 gas came out. And contrary to popular belief diesel will go bad, it just takes longer.
Guys, keep it simple! Let 'em get the thing on the road before trying to complicate things. flex fuel = more sensors, more fuel management system to tweak, more testing to do, more parts, more expense.... it might be a thought down the road, but for now, keep it simple and get it on the road.
If they are targeting commuters like myself, electric drivetrain doesn't make any sense. My round-trip commute is almost 150 miles, which may be in the range of some electric vehicles these days, but some days I wind up making that commute TWICE.
