Would a Flex-Fuel Vehicle Requirement Work?

Bob Zubrin suggests that "flex-fuel" vehicles be mandated; he was interviewed on the Glenn and Helen Show, and his idea of creating a competitive market for transportation fuels by immediate demand for it (unlike supplying the fuel first before compatible vehicles) may have some merit. The problems of alcohol (both ethanol and methanol) production capacity and transportation limitations, and the unintended consequences of a mandate for flex fueling must be considered (for some examples of current vehicle availability, go to this link).

Corn based ethanol subsidies, however, still remains a bad idea, and is just political pandering to the Grain Belt.