Could the Feds limit high-octane availability?

[Lawrenzo]

If the Government really wants to raise the country's overall MPG, might it simply limit the supply of higher octane gasoline, effectively turning most high performance cars into giant paperweights

I wouldn't put it past them All they have to do is justify it somehow-which they seem to be experts at right now. Maybe by stating that the cars using premium gas have an overall average under a certain threshold or such. Kind of like when leaded gas went by the wayside and the compression ratios dropped from 11 to 1 down to 8.

 

[plumcrazy]

osama can do anything he wants apparently

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

This is backwards. First, they don't limit octane now. Second, higher octane can lead to better fuel economy because higher compression ratios are more efficient. There are engines not necessarily high performance (think of the large Mercedes?) that use higher octane? It would affect more than Vipers. Third, capitalism will still push higher octane because the oil companies produce it for 1 cent per octane number (91 costs 4 cents more to make than 87) and sell it for 20 cents more.

Leaded gas was limited to one octane because the stations only had a limited number of dispensing pumps. Also, statistically many owners were using high octane even when they didn't need it (advertising at work) and so the 87 satisfied a huge percentage of the fleet (statistically, anyway.) If they limit high octane, there would be an unused dispenser?

The only thing I would see coming is an alternate fuel like E85 (85% ethanol) but that would require a lot more flex-fuel cars and a lot more corn.

 

[hemihead]

Third, capitalism will still push higher octane because the oil companies produce it for 1 cent per octane number (91 costs 4 cents more to make than 87) and sell it for 20 cents more.

Tom, the only issue I would take is that you cited "capitalism", but that seems to be giving way to socialism. The new boss of everything dosen't care about anybody making money.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

True. We may have a new posting at the pump - Obamatane.
Similar to 83 octane, but a premium price. Intended to promote elected ... er ... electric cars.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

If there is a problem alternative fuels is the only answer. This attack on oil is political BS and just povides enviromental acitivist jobs for folks who would otherwise be flipping burgers or asking "paper or plastic?"*


*Disclaimer: In no way meant to insult the fast food or grocery industries. I worked both for many years.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

True. We may have a new posting at the pump - Obamatane.
Similar to 83 octane, but a premium price. Intended to promote elected ... er ... electric cars.

Wouldn't Obamatane be free to everyone but the average hard working middle class?

 

[Lawrenzo]

This is backwards. First, they don't limit octane now. Second, higher octane can lead to better fuel economy because higher compression ratios are more efficient. There are engines not necessarily high performance (think of the large Mercedes?) that use higher octane? It would affect more than Vipers. Third, capitalism will still push higher octane because the oil companies produce it for 1 cent per octane number (91 costs 4 cents more to make than 87) and sell it for 20 cents more.

Leaded gas was limited to one octane because the stations only had a limited number of dispensing pumps. Also, statistically many owners were using high octane even when they didn't need it (advertising at work) and so the 87 satisfied a huge percentage of the fleet (statistically, anyway.) If they limit high octane, there would be an unused dispenser?

The only thing I would see coming is an alternate fuel like E85 (85% ethanol) but that would require a lot more flex-fuel cars and a lot more corn.

Those big Mercs have over 380hp, and could easily imported with just 6 cylinders(or diesel) like in Europe. Premium only accounts for around 6% of total consumption right now, so it could be easy to justify.

Here is the link to a list of the vehicles that require premium- I don't see too many gas sippers on it Mostly performance oriented cars. Don't think for a minute that we aren't directly in the Government's crosshairs

CHART: More vehicles prefer premium gas - USATODAY.com