Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and various other plant materials collectively known as “biomass”. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a new invention. The very first engine, invented in 1826, ran on Ethanol. Henry Ford and other early automakers suspected it would eventually become the world’s primary fuel.
Currently, the U.S. produces less than 10 million barrels of crude a day but consumes 19 million. The difference must be imported. Researchers believe that ethanol is the answer to substantially offsetting our nation’s petroleum use. Because corn is an indigenous crop to America, it would support American farmers and create more American jobs. Researchers agree ethanol could feasibly replace 30 percent or more of U.S. gasoline demand by 2030.
Already, 95 percent of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol in a low-level blend to oxygenate the fuel and reduce air pollution. This also helps reduce our reliance on foreign oil, support American farmers and create American jobs, especially in rural areas where employment opportunities are needed. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production in 2022 accounted for nearly 79,000 direct jobs across the country, $57 billion of the gross domestic product, and $34.8 billion in household income.
The use of ethanol as an additive has also shown to improve vehicle performance. It is shown to ignite the fuels more readily in the engine, leading to improved start-up. It also increases the lubricity of the vehicle’s moving parts, leading to less wear-and-tear, while creating smoother and quieter conditions. Because of these benefits, all US car companies began manufacturing cars that can take E15 (a blend that contains up to 15% ethanol) since 2001.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that 8% of US cars are known as “flex fuel”, which can take E85 gas (a blend containing between 51% to 83% ethanol depending on the geography and season). However, many flex fuel vehicle owners don’t realize their car is an FFV. You have a nearly 1 in 10 chance of owning this type of vehicle. You can verify if it is a flex fuel by entering in your car data here, or by looking for the following signs on your car:
Using E85 is cheaper. It saves on average at least 60 cents per gallon over standard fuel. The Renewable Fuels Association says blending ethanol into the nation’s gasoline supply currently saves the average American family about $1,200 a year.
There are currently 976 E85 pumps in Wisconsin, with a projected growth rate of 72% over the next decade. The majority of the nation has E85 pumps, especially in the mid west where corn is a plentiful crop. You can find your local E85 pump at the below real time location map