When pondering the question of "Gasahol" bear in mind that the
petrol at the pump, whether in Europe or North America, is
composed of the refined petroleum product we think of as
"gasoline" PLUS a whole lot of other things that give the
features and characteristics required by the modern market.
"Straight" gasoline is much TOO volatile for todays cars,
so other componds are added to control the temperature of
ignition, temperature of vapourisation, burn rate, and any
number of other parameters as dictated by local requirements.
Market price ethanol may be US $2/Gallon, but as an octane
booster/oxygenator/fuel-system-cleaner/antifreeze that
still makes it about half as costly as most of the xxx-ane's
and xxx-ene's that would otherwise be used, so it is in fact
quite likely that whatever refinery supplies your local
pump is including either wood or grain alcohol in the mix,
even when laws don't require it.
I too used to seek out Gasahol for a particular car that
would ping on (US) 93 octane fuel but was fine with 89
octane gasahol. Go figure...
Douglas McKinnie
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