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Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom, Inc. (KAEC)

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Ethanol

What Is Ethanol?

Ethanol (C2H5OH), is also known as grain alcohol. The majority of the ethanol in the U.S. is made from corn, but it can also be produced from sources such as grain sorghum, wheat, barley, potatoes or sugar cane.

In addition to being a renewable American-grown fuel source that can displace at least some gasoline in the supply chain, ethanol reduces all emissions at the tailpipe. And while carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere, it is reabsorbed by the plants that grow the fuel.

From a driver's standpoint, adding ethanol to gasoline increases the fuels' octane rating, boosting performance. On the downside, fuel economy is lower since ethanol contains less energy units, or BTUs (British thermal unit), than gasoline. This means filling up the tank more frequently. Depending on the vehicle, the reduction in fuel economy can be 20 percent or more.

How an ethanol plant works

Article:  Ethanol: What might have been

Link:  United States Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy