It all depends on how much the price difference is between Regular Unleaded & E85 -vs- the MPG drop. Where I live, E85 is 25% cheaper than regular unleaded (which makes 50% E85 12.5% cheaper). I'd have to lose more than 12.5% MPG to make 1/2 E85 not worth it.

BTW - I agree 100% that E85 helps emissions. Only way I can get the Dodge to pass emissions test is E85 anymore.

 

You are correct, it depends on the difference in price. I was referring to today's reported fuel price averages and the equivalent energy cost between regular unleaded and E85.

National fuel price averages for today: reg = $3.67. E85 = $3.00. Comparing equally energy levels per gallon (which means gas mileage), E85 = $3.95 per gallon compared to regular at $3.67 per gallon. Therefore, based on the avg national prices (which may be different in your area), it costs about $0.28 more per gallon to use.

 

It only costs 0.28 more per gallon to use if you get a 30% drop in MPG...Which only happens at WOT.

I was honestly surprised when I only lost 7.6% running 50/50 mix of E85/Unleaded. A lot of it has to do with my driving habits too (90% highway and I never drive more than 5 over hte speed limit). So each individual case will vary whether it's worth it or not depending on price spread & mpg drop.

For me, I actually save about $0.01 per mile running a 50/50 mix. I know that doesn't sound like much, but over the course of a year I'll save ~$100. I'd save ~$275 a year if I drove 550 miles a week like I used to.

 

The 2nd gen motors are not built to handle the E85 fuel. It was only in 2007 That Dodge made the 4.7 E85 compatible.

 

I'm sure you won't have any problems running a blend of E85 (other than the mileage hit) short term.
Long term effects? Who knows...

 

What do you consider long term? I figured 40,000 miles and 2 years was a pretty good test.

Lastest fillup is 60% E85/40% Unleaded and I got 16.5mpg - Which is a 11% decrease over my 100% unleaded MPG.

Unleaded: 3.69/gallon
E85: 2.79/gallon

Even with the MPG hit, I still saved close to 1 cent/mile which equates to roughly $5.30 per tank.

 

i agree that E85 helps pass emissions

i agree that the drop in MPG using E85 usually more than wipes out the cost savings from the lower $ per gallon

if you are intent on trying E85
i would buy the replacement fuel line for a 4.7 V8 'flex fuel' ram with its PTFE liner,
and then use the long lists of fuel injectors found in the link below:

http://tinyurl.com/2ybrnm

to swap in 20 to 40% larger ones to handle the E85 different 'stoichiometric' needs

CNG is the way to go for lower fuel cost per mile

Info on the factory CNG on Vans that could be used on Rams is here:

http://tinyurl.com/6q25tt

 

CNG is definitely the way to go once the conversion costs come down and more filling stations are available.