Consequences of the 2026 fuel crisis

[old man emu]

Here's why we only have a month's worth of fuel stored here.

 

 

[willedoo]

Still paying $3.20 for diesel where I am. Petrol is a fair bit cheaper.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Diesel is £1.92 where I am. At the mid rates, it is $3.65 at time of writing. Petrol is £1.52, which is $2.89.

[old man emu]

I think I found out why petrol in the USA is cheap. Leaving out any taxes that might be applied, the reason is that the lower grade fuel, RON/MON 87, which most vehicle use contains lots of ethanol, which is so much cheaper than petroleum. They do have non-ethanol fuel, which has a higher octane rating, but the majority of vehicles don't require it. 

 

Remember when E10 came in? We were told that it could not be used in engines built before a certain date becasue teh ethanol destroyed rubber seals in various components. I imaging that with the introduction of ethanol-based fuels vehicle manufacturers got the heads-up from the fuel companies and changed over to ethanol-friendly seals.

 

Remember that we are told NOT to use ethanol fuels in small engines like lawn mowers. I'd like to back what I am saying about the ethanol in US fuel by posting the video from which I learned this. While the title suggests a scam, it is not really. For a quick look at what I mean about the ethanol in their fuel, watch from about timestamp 3:30. If you watch the whole video you will see the simple test the presenter did to make a point of the video.

 

NOTE: I don't think fuel pumps in Australia are plumbed the way these Yank ones are.

 

 

[facthunter]

Ethanol itself is High Octane but you burn More of it.  so will pay a bit more. Theoretically you may need to enrich the Mixture as well to Keep things Happy . A lot of cars are raced on E70-85. and run high compression and run cooler. Nev

[randomx]

4 hours ago, Jerry_Atrick said:

Diesel is £1.92 where I am. At the mid rates, it is $3.65 at time of writing. Petrol is £1.52, which is $2.89.

 

 

3.12 here yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by randomx

[facthunter]

More than double it to convert to OUR Money,. Nev

[nomadpete]

4 minutes ago, facthunter said:

More than double it to convert to OUR Money,. Nev

That's inflation for ya!

 

 

[facthunter]

Just exchange rate. It floats and the Market decides. Nev

[Litespeed]

I never ever use ethanol fuel in my motorbikes and especially in boat motors.

 

For a boat its critical the fuel is good and and it runs at the right combustion temps. A failure can prove deadly, my marine rescue mates swear a lot of failures are from E10 use.

[facthunter]

Nearly anything that Burns can be dumped in Auto Fuel. There's Plenty of Opportunities to do it to avoid excise. Ethanol absorbs  Water and having OH in it can be considered part Oxidised. When any alcohol is added you Need to Enrich the Mixture. More fuel Less Air (Oxidant). Running Lean lowers Octane rating and can Melt and burn Holes in Piston Crowns and Pit valve seats and produce Higher EGT's. Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

7 hours ago, facthunter said:

More than double it to convert to OUR Money,. Nev

The current mid rate  (between buy and sell) on the wholesale markets is $1.91 (rounded to nearest cent) to £1

 

Normally I would take the sell rate as, if I was converting, that's what I would pay. 

 

But since I am earning £ anbd paying £ and you fellas are earning (or have) $ and paying $, it seems better to use the mid rate.