Ethanol is a renewable, alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling plant-based materials known as biomass. Nearly all ethanol produced in the world is derived from starch- and sugar-based feedstocks including corn, barley, and wheat. Ethanol is commonly added to gasoline to increase octane ratings and improve emissions quality, such as in the common blend E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline). More than 98% of gasoline sold in the U.S. contains some ethanol. E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, and blends containing even higher concentrations of ethanol such as E95, qualify as alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and are offered by several vehicle manufacturers.
Dependent upon the type of feedstock used, lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of ethanol are between 34% and 108% lower than gasoline or diesel. Emissions reductions credited to ethanol result from the capture of carbon dioxide that occurs when the feedstock crop is grown, which offset a portion of emissions created during combustion.
Explore E85 Stations in the TACC area
Ethanol Links
- Visit this page for the basics about ethanol as a fuel from the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center
- Growth Energy works to advance E85-capable flexible fuel vehicles. Visit the link for more information