Ethanol
Ethanol, or grain alcohol, is produced by the fermentation of grain or other starchy plant materials. E85 is an alternative fuel blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 can only be used in flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can run either E85, gasoline, or any blend of the two fuels. Drivers may fill the tank with whatever fuel is available. A large and increasing number of flex fuel OEM vehicles are on the road today, including products from Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes, Mercury, Nissan, Mazda and Isuzu. Presently, 5 million E85 capable vehicles have been sold in the United States.
The Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) provision of the Jobs Bill was intended to increase the availability of E85 and to bring E85 prices closer to regular unleaded gasoline. There are currently over 1100 fueling stations in 39 states.
Pure Ethanol or grain alcohol is clear, colorless and pleasant-smelling. It can be produced from a wide variety of feed stocks that contain sugar or starches that may be converted to sugar, including corn, sugar beets or sugar cane.
Compared to gasoline, E85 has a higher octane (105), but lower energy content
per unit of volume. Consequently, E85 fuel economy is less than 87 octane gasoline,
and vehicles operating on E85 may experience reduced range.
Ethanol reduces NOx, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions.
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