To put it simply, ethanol is an alternative fuel that’s better for your car and the environment.
Compared to regular unleaded gasoline, ethanol-enriched fuel burns cleaner and produces fewer harmful tailpipe emissions. It also has higher octane, which can help your car develop maximum horsepower. And since ethanol is made here at home from crops produced by farmers, it plays a key role in efforts to reduce our dependence on oil.
Ethanol is distilled from fermented grain — usually corn — in production plants. Right now, there are more than 95 ethanol production plants in the United States, producing almost 4.3 billion gallons of ethanol every year. That’s a lot of fuel — and a significant contribution to our nation’s economy. So when you use ethanol-enriched fuel, you aren’t just filling up your tank. You’re helping the environment, our country’s economy and our energy independence.
What’s in a name? In the case of ethanol-enriched fuels, the name tells you exactly how much ethanol you’re getting.
E10
E10 is gasoline enriched with up to 10 percent ethanol. E10 is a clean-burning octane boost for your car that reduces harmful tailpipe emissions and won’t leave gummy residue in your car’s engine. American and foreign automobile manufacturers have approved E10 for use in all makes and models of cars. It’s the most common ethanol-enriched fuel available — ask for it at a gas station near you and feel good about filling up.
E85
Advanced E85 is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. This leading alternative fuel is available at sites across the country. It’s made especially for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are designed to run on any blend of ethanol and unleaded gasoline. In the United States alone, nearly 3.5 million of these cars can run on E85 right now. Not sure if your car is one of them? Check the gas cap and the owner's manual, or visit e85fuel.com.
Ethanol History
Ethanol is not a new fuel. In the 1850s, ethanol was a major lighting fuel. During the Civil War, a liquor tax was placed on ethanol to raise money for the war. The tax increased the price of ethanol so much that it could no longer compete with other fuels such as kerosene in lighting devices. Ethanol production declined sharply because of this tax and production levels did not begin to recover until the tax was repealed in 1906.
In 1908, Henry Ford designed his Model T to run on a mixture of gasoline and alcohol, calling it the fuel of the future. In 1919, when Prohibition began, ethanol was banned because it was considered a liquor. It could only be sold when it was mixed with petroleum. With the end of Prohibition in 1933, ethanol was used as a fuel again. Ethanol use increased temporarily during World War II when oil and other resources were scarce. In the 1970s, interest in ethanol as a transportation fuel was revived when embargoes by major oil producing countries cut gasoline supplies. Since that time ethanol use has been encouraged by offering tax benefits for producing ethanol and for blending ethanol into gasoline. In 1988, ethanol began to be added to gasoline for the purpose of reducing carbon monoxide emissions. Learn more about the history of ethanol in a timeline.
Ethanol and the Environment
Using ethanol means that we use a little bit less gasoline (a nonrenewable fuel). Unlike gasoline, ethanol is nontoxic (safe to handle) and biodegradable, it quickly breaks down into harmless substances if spilled. When small amounts of ethanol are added to gasoline, usually less than 10 percent, there are many advantages. Ethanol reduces carbon monoxide and other toxic pollution from the tailpipes of vehicles, making the air cleaner. It keeps engines running smoothly without the need for lead or other chemical additives. Because ethanol is made from crops that absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This carbon cycle maintains the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere when using ethanol as a fuel.
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Properties
Pure ethanol is a flammable, colorless liquid with a boiling point of 78.5° C. Its low melting point of -114.5° C allows it to be used in antifreeze products. It has a pleasant odor reminiscent of whiskey. Its density is 789 g/L, about 20% less than that of water. It is easily soluble in water and is itself a good solvent, used in perfumes, paints and tinctures. Alcoholic drinks have a large variety of tastes, since various flavor compounds are dissolved during brewing.
A solution of 70-85% of ethanol is commonly used as a disinfectant; it kills organisms by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids: it is effective against most bacteria and fungi, and many viruses, but is ineffective against bacterial spores. This disinfectant property of ethanol is the reason that alcoholic beverages can be stored for a long time. Ethanol can lose a proton from the hydroxyl group and is a very weak acid, weaker than water.
The CAS number of ethanol is 64-17-5 and its UN number is UN 1170.
