Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is a clean-burning, high-octane form of alcohol usually produced from corn, but can be produced from grain sorghum, wheat, barley, or potatoes. Brazil, the world’s largest ethanol producer, makes ethanol from sugarcane. Like other alcohols, ethanol can be used as a fuel in gasoline engines. 100% ethanol is not generally used as a motor fuel; instead, a percentage of ethanol is combined with unleaded gasoline.
Any amount of ethanol can be combined with gasoline, but the most common are:
Gasohol is a mixture of about 10-percent ethanol and 90-percent gasoline and will run in an unmodified car. In the state of Minnesota whenever you fuel up, you’re getting gasohol.
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used in a vehicle labeled as a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV).
Ethanol:
- decreases the fuel’s cost
- increases octane
- decreases gasoline’s harmful emissions
- boosts rural and farm economies
- helps preserve natural resources
- reduces dependence on foreign oil
