What is ethanol?

Ethanol is “ethyl alcohol”, 200-proof grain alcohol, produced mainly from corn but it can also be made from many other crops including wheat, barley, sorghum, potatoes, etc.  An ethanol plant produces fuel-grade ethanol, and that ethanol is then blended in a percentage with gasoline to make a finished motor fuel. 
Terminology is important because the term “ethanol” means different things to different people:
“Ethanol” is the 100% pure ethanol coming from a production facility.
Sometimes people say “ethanol” and mean the blend of 10% ethanol/90% gasoline called E10.
Sometimes people say “ethanol” and mean the blend of 85% ethanol/15% gasoline called E85.
All vehicles are “ethanol-capable” and can use a blend of up to 10% alcohol.  There is a significant reduction in both carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions when ethanol is blended and used with gasoline in automobiles.  According to the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, ethanol-blended fuels reduced CO²-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by 7.8 million tons in 2005, which has the effect of removing the annual greenhouse gas emissions of over 1 million automobiles from the road.

Will my vehicle run on ethanol-blended fuel?

All vehicles are “ethanol capable” and can use a blend of up to 10% ethanol.  E10 is the most common way ethanol is sold to motorists.  Since the 1980’s, all automakers have covered the use of up to 10% ethanol under warranty, and no engine modifications are necessary to use it.  E10 is a cleaner burning fuel than straight gasoline.

What is E85 and can my vehicle use it?

E85 is not gasoline, but rather an alternative fuel comprised of 85% ethanol/15% unleaded gasoline for use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV’s).  These vehicles are truly “flexible” in that their owners have a choice whether to use E85, a blend of ethanol up to that 85% level, or straight unleaded gasoline.  To identify whether a vehicle is flexible fuel, check the owners manual and inside the gas cap.

How is ethanol made?

Ethanol is produced by taking the starch or sugar portion of the corn and fermenting it.  The fermented starch is then distilled into alcohol.  The excess water is removed so the resulting ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is very pure – 200 proof.  Only the starch portion of the corn, which is about 70% of the kernel, is made into ethanol.  The remaining portion is left over in the form of a co-product called distillers grain.  This is a highly nutritious animal feed that contains all the remaining fats, oils, and proteins after the starch is taken out and converted to ethanol.

What impact does ethanol have on gasoline prices?

Ethanol adds to the overall supply of motor fuel in the U.S. and helps keep pump prices competitive and affordable.  The blender’s tax credit is usually passed down to consumers in the form of more competitive prices at the pump.  According the Consumer Federation of America, consumers who purchase gasoline blended with 10% ethanol could be saving as much as 8 cents per gallon compared to straight gasoline.

How much oil can ethanol really displace?

Research has determined that 1 barrel of ethanol (1 barrel = 42 gallons) can displace 1.2 barrels of petroleum at the refinery.  Current ethanol production of 5.4 billion gallons per year reduces the need to import 46.7 million barrels of foreign oil per year.  This is a small percentage, but a critically important one.  Every gallon of ethanol we can make and use means we are less dependent upon oil and more dependent upon clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources.

Is ethanol-enriched fuel available everywhere?

Not yet.  If it’s not available in your area, let your local gas station know that you want ethanol-enriched fuel as an option and encourage your friends to do the same.