Ethanol is a domestically-produced, renewable alternative fuel that can be used to offset gasoline and diesel consumption. Ethanol is already used in 98% of U.S. gasoline stations via low-level E10 blending (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline).
Ethanol is also available as E85 (or flex fuel), which can be used in flexible fuel vehicles, designed to operate on any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83%. Another blend, E15, has been approved for use in newer vehicles, and is slowly becoming available.
Learn more about ethanol basics and benefits here!
In the United States, 94% of ethanol is produced from the starch in corn grain. Ethanol produced from corn demonstrates a positive energy balance, meaning that the process of producing ethanol fuel does not require more energy than the amount of energy contained in the fuel itself.
Depending on the method of production, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reduced by about 34% to up to 100% when ethanol is used.
The Renewable Fuels Association reports that 68,600 American jobs in 2019 stemmed from the ethanol production industry.
Learn more about ethanol laws and incentives in Ohio here!