At a recent congressional subcommittee hearing on problems with ethanol fuel mandates, Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, noted that his truck warranty (and many others) would be voided if he used E-15 fuel blends, which have 15 percent ethanol. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., suggested an alternative to those worried about engine destruction from E-15: Buy a Prius.
Somehow, we doubt most people will want to buy a new Prius at a cost of $27,000 to $36,000 to avoid having their current car ruined by E-15. Having the federal Environmental Protection Agency simply waive the fuel requirement, which is now a solution in search of a problem, would be a more cost-effective option — not to mention sensible.
Plus, Lankford noted the Prius falls short in some areas important to consumers, such as capacity. He told Speier: “I could actually, with my Ford truck, put that Prius in the back of it.”
