Nationwide E85 shortage
 

The only place in my town that has had it is out and doesn't know when and if any more will arrive. DuckDuckGo search reveals that ethanol shortage was being felt back in November. Report blames trucking more than overall fuel situation. Seems ethanol can't move by pipelines and the truck-driver shortage is the main problem.


Just by luck, I have a Phantom supercharger on the shelf. I've been meaning to install it for a while. I bought it specifically fearing I might not be able to get E85 some day.

Settle in and get comfortable. Things won't improve anytime soon.

https://www.trucking.org/sites/defau...ary.FINAL_.pdf

"The American Trucking Associations estimates that in 2021 the truck driver shortage will hit a historic high of just over 80,000 drivers."

...

At current trends, the shortage could surpass 160,000 in 2030. This forecast is based on driver demographic trends, including gender and age, as well as expected freight growth. As part of this study, ATA estimates that over the next decade, the industry will have to recruit nearly 1,000,000 new drivers into the industry to replace retiring drivers, drivers that leave voluntarily (e.g., lifestyle) or involuntarily (e.g., driving records or failed drug test), as well as additional drivers needed for industry growth.

they've been crying wolf about hiring replacements for decades. i got involved in low voltage systems "because they need to hire over a million workers to replace those getting out!" only for the entire industry to fall flat on it's face.

my brothers gotten the same story for nearly a decade for mechanics. every shop that pays decent, or treats people decent, is already staffed for at least 2 generations. the shops crying they can't fill positions seem to be entirely low paying and/or garbage management--and just like any business, treat your workers like trash, and word spreads through the rest of the industry.

maybe the drivers still working can start making more than peanuts for being forced to work 14 hour shifts and stop being treated like trash.


something else to watch for is what looks like the looming DEF shortage(currently austrailia and s. korea), which will ground otherwise usable drivers and trucks, which will only further cripple the house of cards that is shipping.

I started this thread thinking maybe some others are having trouble finding it. Still none available in my town. Anyone else?

I have 3 stations with e-85 in my area, all 3 continue to carry it. But I live in LA county so our market probably gets prioritized due to the demand. It's gone up in price like crazy though, $3.89 currently.

Still good in Dallas! If not glad I purchase the flex fuel for Delicious!

No issues finding it in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. But the fact that it is more expensive than 87, not a whole lot cheaper than 93 and how much gas has increased in price, make it a far less economical choice than it used to be.

Back when I could get e85 for $1.90 when 93 was $2.60, given the mileage correction, e85 and 93 cost about the same. Now that e85 is $3.10 and 93 is $3.50, it's significantly more expensive to run e85. Is it worth it? Maybe in the summer when I am playing more often. But this time of year, and driving 55 miles a day mostly highway, I switched back to 93.

I have never paid less the $4/gal, though E85 is uncommon here in the PNW. I know of 2 stations in my area. One is about 70 miles south, the other is 45 miles north. :bonk:

Only one pump (not station, pump) in Utah, and I haven't had any issues.

Looks like the problem started around Thanksgiving.


https://www.reuters.com/business/ene...ne-2021-11-24/

I haven't had any issues "knock on wood". Here in AZ we only get E52 at max, but I haven't had a problem and have only been on E since I moved here 3 years ago.

Jaden

No problems getting it here in Southern California, but the price is $3.99 a gallon now at most pumps I frequent in the LA area. It was mid-$2s early last year IIRC.