Walmart explores Ethanol Fuel Sales

[MikeMike]

Wal-Mart Explores Ethanol Fuel Sales

NEW YORK June 1, 2006; Reuters reporteds that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, is considering selling ethanol-based fuel at its more than 380 gasoline stations, the Wall Street Journal reported late on Wednesday.

The move could give the sales of alternative fuels a significant boost amid steep gasoline prices, the Journal said in a report on its Web site.

The retailer held an alternative fuels summit in Washington this week to explore plans to sell E-85, a blend of ethanol, mixed with 15 percent gasoline.

Wal-Mart's meeting was attended by representatives of the auto industry, oil companies, government officials and biofuel producers, the report said.

"The purpose was to explore expanding alternative fuels in the marketplace and help us consider carrying E-85," Wal-Mart spokesman Kevin Gardner told the Journal.

Wal-Mart had yet to determine if it could sell the alternative fuel profitably, the Journal said.

A company spokesman was not immediately reachable for further comment.

http://today.reuters.com/investing/Fina...275640_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENERGY-WALMART.xml

 

[Lorax]

WALMART SELLS GAS FOR CHEAP AND DESTROYS MOM AND POP GAS STATIONS.

just kidding. good for them.

 

[JS80]

oh no what are the hippies going to say?

 

[Strk]

That's good to hear. It's too bad I don't have a car that can use it.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Lorax
WALMART SELLS GAS FOR CHEAP AND DESTROYS MOM AND POP GAS STATIONS.

just kidding. good for them.

heh actually the walmart gas stations are like 2 cents more.

 

[SagaLore]

AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

i was just thnking that myself. so i've read, hydrogen fuel will only be economical if its mass produced......wow, just think if wallyworld did it. they could really revolutionize the world and establish a long and loyal base (i know i for one would go to wally world exclusively if they did hydrogen)

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

Yeah, although the big problem is that it's mostly just GM and Ford making engines capable of using E85.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: chambersc

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

i was just thnking that myself. so i've read, hydrogen fuel will only be economical if its mass produced......wow, just think if wallyworld did it. they could really revolutionize the world and establish a long and loyal base (i know i for one would go to wally world exclusively if they did hydrogen)

QFT, I hate walmart but if they actually did something that would benefit the environment, I'd give them my money. But for now, they seem to be a drain than of help.

 

[Accipiter22]

isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

Once you get rid of all of the subsidies, it's about the same price as gas. However, you have issues with it providing less energy than gasoline, but that can be remedied through turbos and other tuning.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

Yeah, although the big problem is that it's mostly just GM and Ford making engines capable of using E85.

yea.. you know, 2 of the top 3 automakers...

also DCX does as well, and Toyota is doing it soon too IIRC.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: Strk
That's good to hear. It's too bad I don't have a car that can use it.

They are going to sell you the kit that converts it along with the E85

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

Yeah, although the big problem is that it's mostly just GM and Ford making engines capable of using E85.

yea.. you know, 2 of the top 3 automakers...

also DCX does as well, and Toyota is doing it soon too IIRC.

Yeah, but I like Honda

Toyota said they're going to look into it.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

i also seem to recall reading that to make ethenol fuel use's more engergy then makeing regualer gas.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

i also seem to recall reading that to make ethenol fuel use's more engergy then makeing regualer gas.

only corn based ethanol, and there are numerous other ways to produce it.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

i also seem to recall reading that to make ethenol fuel use's more engergy then makeing regualer gas.

only corn based ethanol, and there are numerous other ways to produce it.

ahh ok.

so what other ways? i seem to recall someone saying suger beats?

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

i also seem to recall reading that to make ethenol fuel use's more engergy then makeing regualer gas.

only corn based ethanol, and there are numerous other ways to produce it.

ahh ok.

so what other ways? i seem to recall someone saying suger beats?

HEMP!

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

i also seem to recall reading that to make ethenol fuel use's more engergy then makeing regualer gas.

only corn based ethanol, and there are numerous other ways to produce it.

ahh ok.

so what other ways? i seem to recall someone saying suger beats?

HEMP!

really? my my it is really the miricle weed ain't it?

more i hear on what hemp can do the more i wonder why its outlawed.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic.

http://www.hempcar.org/ford.shtml

Ford recognized the utility of the hemp plant. He constructed a car of resin stiffened hemp fiber, and even ran the car on ethanol made from hemp. Ford knew that hemp could produce vast economic resources if widely cultivated.

It wasn't economical to use ethanol back then but it is now

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
isn't ethanol slightly more expensive???

but yeah, if it's better for the environment, awesome!

Once you get rid of all of the subsidies, it's about the same price as gas. However, you have issues with it providing less energy than gasoline, but that can be remedied through turbos and other tuning.

But at the end of the day, E85 provides less energy and the additional energy used makes it a wash, if not costing you a lot more.

Same with hybrids:
Hybrid vehicles have been studied and it appears that you have to drive 120k miles on a hybrid before the extra expense of buying the vehicle offsets the savings in gasoline. Until alternatives are cheaper and make economic sense, there is not going to be a demand for it.

Check this link for a report from last year

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: chambersc

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

i was just thnking that myself. so i've read, hydrogen fuel will only be economical if its mass produced......wow, just think if wallyworld did it. they could really revolutionize the world and establish a long and loyal base (i know i for one would go to wally world exclusively if they did hydrogen)

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. If Wal-Mart can step up and make alternative fuels more economical, it would only be a matter of (less) time before the auto mfrs step up with more cars to use them.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Lorax
WALMART SELLS GAS FOR CHEAP AND DESTROYS MOM AND POP GAS STATIONS.

just kidding. good for them.

don't kid, many will actually use this line of attack on WalMart.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: chambersc

Originally posted by: SagaLore
AWESOME!

Wouldn't it be Ironic, Walmart could actually be the catalyst of the automobile industry to get away from gasoline. With this kind of push, more companies would research ways to produce ethanol cost effectively.

i was just thnking that myself. so i've read, hydrogen fuel will only be economical if its mass produced......wow, just think if wallyworld did it. they could really revolutionize the world and establish a long and loyal base (i know i for one would go to wally world exclusively if they did hydrogen)

I believe there are two main ways that hydrogen is produced commercially. One requires petroleum, which doesn't solve our problem. The other is electrolysis, which requires an energy source. So in order for hydrogen to be a viable alternative to oil, we need a renewable energy source that can be harnessed on a massive scale.

 

[TXHokie]

I'm for anything that would cut down me sending my $$$ to OPEC.