BIO-FUELS COULD BE BAD FOR INDUSTRY: With the push toward alternative fuel-vehicles, the limousine and chauffeured transportation industry must weigh its options carefully. Studies have shown that ethanol-fueled (E-85) vehicles may not necessarily contribute to a greener climate since the energy used to produce and process ethanol cancels out any reduction in fossil fuel usage and emissions. A
recent analysis in the New York Times reports a growing global backlash against the ethanol industry because it gobbles up croplands for ethanol production that otherwise would produce corn, wheat, and other food commodity staples. That, in turn, squeezes food supplies and aggravates food inflation. Before investing in E-85 vehicles, chauffeured transportation operators must ask some tough questons:
1) Do enthanol vehicles actually reduce carbon emissions? 2) Are enthanol-fueled vehicles the most economical route to fuel cost savings and reduction of pollutants? 3) Does the chauffeured transportation industry want to risk a negative image of contributing to high food inflation and possible food shortages by promoting the use of ethanol-fueled vehicles?
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-- posted by Martin Romjue
Print | posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 3:51 PM