So what is the deal with you guys in the other states? Don't you have anyone selling no ethanol blend? I have 2 in my city in WI. Like I mentioned above I paid $4.21 yesterday for it. I have been using it in my 750's since it became available a few years ago. Funny thing is I see a lot of cars at these stations all the time. They seem more busy than the others stations.
In California, the state legislature mandated all auto gas at the pump be ethanol blended. The only place that non-ethanol fuel is available, is at airports (100LL, which will poison catalytic converters), or at lawn mower shops for $10-$15/gallon.
Gordon has it right in his above post. A higher octane rating has to do with self ignition characteristics under temperature and pressure, and has nothing to do with energy content or power output.
Part of the misconception otherwise, has to do with observing high powered engines that require high octane to avoid detonation. Ignorant individuals then expect high octane used in their own engines will take them a step closer to higher power. They even imagine the engine runs better to support their misconceptions. They never perform an objective test. But, give plenty of testimonials to bolster their own feelings. Oil company marketing reinforces the delusion for their own gain as it costs no more to make higher octane fuel, but they can charge more for it, as the customer "perceives" he is getting more due to higher numbers on the label.
FYI, diesel fuel actually has higher energy content per volume. It also detonates at far lower temperatures, which is why such engines have direct cylinder injection of the fuel at the time of ignition.
Cheers,
