Ethanol: Fuel and Economy

Ethanol is a high octane alcohol that can be used as an alternative fuel for vehicles. Agricultural products such as corn and grain are fermented to create this renewable fuel option. While ethanol has been around for quite some time, most people do not understand what it is or how it works.

Ethanol is Good For The Environment

As we see an increased need to be as environmentally-friendly as possible, ethanol offers a viable way to help decrease carbon footprints. This fuel source is renewable and burns much cleaner than gasoline. Carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to the global warming issue and its levels are said to be at their highest. Ethanol also reduces carbon emissions, keeping the air we breathe cleaner and safer.

The Many Types of Ethanol

Just like gasoline, there is more than one grade of ethanol. For example, E10 is an option that contains 10% ethanol and 90 percent gasoline while E85 only contains 15 percent gasoline. Other common types available include E15, E20, E25, E70, E75, and E100.

E100 is a pure ethanol fuel. Many people seem to think that there are no vehicles that can run on pure ethanol, but they would be wrong. There are all kinds of vehicles that can run on ethanol-based fuels. Vehicles that have run ethanol fuels have been around longer than you may think. The first vehicle on the market that had this capability was the Model T back in 1908. Unfortunately, pure ethanol made the vehicles difficult to star in colder temperatures. To get around this problem, vehicles are normally equipped with a small gas reservoir to help get this started during colder temperatures.

The Affect on Food Supplies

One of the best features of ethanol fuel is that it will not cause depletion in foods for people and animals. During production, starches are separated from the corn kernel, leaving behind proteins and minerals that can be used for consumption, especially as animal feed. In fact, a single bushel of corn can produce nearly three gallons of ethanol while also yielding over 11 pounds of feed and nearly two pounds of corn oil.

The Ethanol-Gasoline Cost Gap

Ethanol is usually less expensive than gasoline when comparing the price per gallon. However, it does burn much faster than gasoline. As a result, those currently using a high ethanol rated fuels require more frequent fill-ups, and more expensive running costs.

Worth the Investment

The stress our environment is under is clear to most, and ethanol-use is a great way for the individual to do their part for future generations. While it may be slightly more expensive, it is well worth the investment.