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Ethanol is highly refined beverage (grain) alcohol, approximately 200 proof, and can be made from natural products such as corn, sugar, and wheat. Ethanol that is used for fuel has been denatured with hydrocarbon, rendering it unsafe to drink.
Ethanol-blended fuel is a mixture of ethanol and unleaded gasoline. A mixture of 10% ethanol with 90% unleaded gasoline is known as E10 (E for ethanol, and 10 for 10%). Automobiles that normally use unleaded gasoline for fuel can also run using E10 fuel. Another type of ethanol-blended fuel is E85. E85 refers to a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline.
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How much the consumer is expected to save, if anything, depends on the assumptions used in the calculations. Unfortunately we don't have a way to predict the price of oil or gasoline.
We can use current numbers to illustrate how the inputs and taxes might contribute to the final price of a gallon of fuel, with and without ethanol.
There is no guarantee that all, or any, potential savings will be passed through to the consumer. There is also no way to accurately predict the price of oil, gasoline, or ethanol.
The table shows results of the comparison, using data for April, 2007.
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All automakers selling cars in the U.S. approve the use of this fuel formulation. Here are some excerpts from owner’s manuals:
"You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume."
"You may use unleaded gasoline blended with alcohol… Blend of gasoline and ethanol…must not contain more than 10% ethanol."
(Applies to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth): "Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with oxygenates such as 10% ethanol… Fuels blended with these oxygenates may be used in your vehicle. Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are specifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. DaimlerChrysler Corporation supports the use of reformulated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines will provide excellent performance and durability for the engine and fuel system components."
(Applies to all Ford products including Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury): "Ford endorses the use of reformulated "cleaner-burning" gasolines to improve air quality…These gasolines may contain oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE."
(Applies to all General Motors products including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Geo, Oldsmobile and Pontiac): "Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that you use these gasolines…"
"You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume. Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions."
"Gasohol (a mixture of 90% unleaded gasoline and 10% ethanol)…may be used in your Hyundai."
"Infiniti supports efforts towards cleaner air and suggest that you use reformulated gasolines when available…If an oxygenate-blend…is used, it should contain no more than 10% oxygenate."
"…gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to help clean the air. Isuzu recommends that you use these gasolines…"
"Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol (grain alcohol) may be used."
"Do not use gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol."
"Gasoline/oxygenated fuel blends…up to 10% of ethanol (Ethyl or grain alcohol) and unleaded fuel mix"
"Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol…Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve air quality."
"The common gasoline blend that can be used with your vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%."
"Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be used."
"A mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline may be used in your vehicle…Mitsubishi Motors Corporation strongly supports the use of reformulated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines should have no adverse effects on vehicle performance or the durability of engine and fuel system components."
"If an oxygenate-blend…is used…it should contain no more than 10% oxygenate…NISSAN supports efforts towards cleaner air and suggests that you use reformulated gasoline when available."
"In recent years, a variety of fuel additives and alcohols or oxygenates have been blended with gasoline. Saab approves the use of such 'reformulated' gasoline in its products, which help in reducing pollution from all motor vehicles, provided that the [blend is] up to 10% ethanol by volume…"
"Scion recommends Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87 or higher."
"Many gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as…ethanol…may be used in your vehicle."
"Blends of unleaded gasoline and ethanol…may be used in your vehicle if the ethanol content is not greater than 10%."
"Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol…Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve air quality."
"Blend of gasoline and ethanol [is approved]…blend must not contain more than 10% ethanol."
"Volvo allows the use of…oxygenated fuels. Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used."
This is the first step towards not being completely dependent on petroleum-based fuels for all our ground transportation fuel needs.
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At least six ethanol production facilities are under development in Hawaii. Others are under consideration but have not been announced. A current list is here: http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/transportation/ethanol/facilities/
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More information is available from many sources, including:
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