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Eco-Glossary

Ethanol

 
Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from plants. Essentially non-drinkable grain alcohol, it is produced by fermenting plant sugars. It can be made from corn, sugar cane and other starchy agricultural product. The cellulose in agricultural wastes such as waste woods and corn stalks (cellulosic ethanol) can also be used as a base. In the U.S., most ethanol is currently made from corn, although because of rapidly developing research, cellulosic ethanol may soon become a larger part of the market.
 
While pure ethanol is rarely used for transportation fuel, there are several ethanol-gasoline blends in use today. E85 is a blend of 85 percent denatured ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. In certain areas, higher percentages of gasoline will be added to E85 during the winter to ensure that vehicles are able to start at very cold temperatures.
 
E85 cannot be used in a conventional, gasoline-only engine. Vehicles must be specially designed to run on it. The only vehicles currently available to U.S. drivers are known as flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), because they can run on E85, gasoline or any blend of the two. Much like diesel fuel, E85 is available at specially-marked fueling pumps. Today, nearly 700 fueling stations offer it. (Source: EPA / Photo: photosbyjim/iStockphoto)
 

Recent Stories


New Ford police cruiser to get EcoBoost

Thu, Mar 18 2010 at 3:02 PM EST

All-new Ford Police Interceptor police cruiser will match the Crown Victoria in power and add eco-friendly upgrades.


Cellulosic ethanol fuel breakthrough: 85% cleaner and only $2 a gallon

Fri, Feb 19 2010 at 12:12 PM EST

Two companies, both with ties to Denmark, produce low-cost enzymes that can greatly reduce the cost of environmentally friendly biofuels made from agricultural waste or fast-growing grasses.


Sunflower DNA map could produce plants for fuel

Fri, Jan 22 2010 at 4:32 AM EST

Scientists hope to be able to locate genes that control important qualities such as seed oil content, flowering, drought and pest tolerance.


EPA delays action on more ethanol in gasoline

Tue, Dec 01 2009 at 12:23 PM EST

More time needed to review effects that higher ratio would have on vehicles.


United Nations says existing biofuel policies bad for the Earth

Fri, Oct 30 2009 at 3:55 PM EST

New report calls for less damage in the development of biofuels.


Movie stars on alcohol: Daryl Hannah and Ed Begley, Jr. talk sustainable fuel

Thu, Oct 01 2009 at 8:43 AM EST

Ethanol has big fans in Hollywood. Can you believe the Kill Bill Trans-Am runs on biofuel?


Brazil proposes banning sugarcane in Amazon

Thu, Sep 17 2009 at 3:57 PM EST

To prevent the plantations from covering the rain forests, the Brazilian President proposes they be limited to 7.5 percent of the nation, an area a little larger than France.


Cars running on ethanol can pollute, too: Brazil study

Wed, Sep 16 2009 at 8:00 PM EST

Study ranked emissions based on a "green grades" scale, measuring three pollutants that do not produce climate change but do affect health.


Diesel: Could an old fuel become the new 'hybrid-killer'?

Mon, Sep 14 2009 at 9:47 AM EST

Fuel-efficient diesels are getting a closer look in the competitive green car market.


Turning watermelon into energy

Thu, Aug 27 2009 at 9:33 AM EST

Your favorite summer fruit could be a great source of ethanol fuel.


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