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Ethanol

| Ethanol Vehicles | Fuel Availability | Additional Resources | Ethanol Blend Strategies |

Ethanol is an alcohol fuel produced from a variety of sources. The most common method is the fermentation and distillation of grain crops, principally corn. Waste products from agricultural and forest practices, called "cellulosic biomass", are also being used as ethanol feedstocks.

McChord Air Force Base was the first fleet in the state to use E85. The ethanol fuel facility opened in the fall of 2002.

Ethanol is most commonly used as a low-percentage blend to increase octane and improve the emissions of gasoline. According to the US Department of Energy, approximately 2 billion gallons of ethanol are added to gasoline each year as an oxygenate to reduce carbon monoxide emissions. Most vehicles manufactured today are designed to operate on low-percentage ethanol blends, such as E10 (10 percent ethanol). See our ethanol blends page for more information on low-percentage ethanol blends. 

High-percentage blends of ethanol are also being used. E85 is a high-percentage blend, consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Blends of at least 85 percent ethanol are considered alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). E85 is used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) developed to operate on either E85 or gasoline. FFVs operating on E85 typically exhibit comparable power, acceleration, payload, and cruise speed of vehicles operating on conventional fuels. More than 3 million FFVs, including sedans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, are currently being used in the United States, though most are powered by gasoline due to the limited availability or higher price of E85, or simply due to owners being unaware that they have the option to fuel with ethanol.

There are currently more than 35,000 FFVs in Washington State, however,  there are currently no publicly accessible E85 fueling stations. Two fleets, McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis, are using E85 their fleet vehicles as part of their sustainability efforts. Efforts are underway to establish an ethanol industry in Washington State, including ethanol production and E85 fuel stations. Washington State has adopted tax incentives to encourage the development of in-state production facilities, distribution services and retail sales facilities for ethanol fuel.

Environmental & health benefits: Emissions reductions for E85 range from 30 to 50 percent reductions in hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide. Life-cycle reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide (CO2)) are also significant.

Safety characteristics: Ethanol, in general, has a higher flash point than gasoline, thus posing less risk.  At low temperatures (32 degrees), E85 vapor is more flammable than gasoline vapor, but E85 vapor is less flammable at higher temperatures.  The lower vapor pressure and lower heat of combustion of E85 reduce risk of fire compared to gasoline.  In the event of a fire, the flame is less bright than a gasoline flame, but is visible in daylight.  Ethanol is treated to prevent consumption.

Availability:  Available flex-fuel vehicles range from passenger cars, trucks and vans, to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Conversion of a gasoline vehicle to operate on ethanol is possible, but there is currently no conversion equipment available that meets federal regulations. Ethanol can be obtained from fuel suppliers for those with their own fueling facilities, but there are no public access fuel stations in the state.  Those interested in using ethanol are encouraged to contact the Coalition, as this will assist with efforts to establish a regional distribution system and fuel station network.

Economics: The cost of flex-fuel vehicles is typically similar to that of traditional gasoline vehicles. Ethanol fuel prices tend to vary significantly across the country. For Puget Sound, the per gallon cost is projected to be comparable to, or slightly higher than, the price of gasoline.  However, because ethanol has a lower energy content (one gallon of E85 provides the same energy as 0.72 gallons of gasoline), overall fuel costs will likely be somewhat higher than for gasoline.

Additional considerations: E85 vehicles may have a more limited range than gasoline vehicles. The ability to use pure gasoline in flex-fuel vehicles provides flexibility when operating the vehicle in areas where E85 is not available. Special materials are required for fuel lines, hoses, valves, gaskets and fuel tanks due to the corrosive properties of ethanol.  In severe cold weather, there may be cold start problems.  It is recommended that the ethanol content be lowered in severe cold weather conditions.  A minimum of 70 percent ethanol in the winter is within the ASTM standard.

Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition strategies: Ethanol use in Washington State is currently limited to a low-percentage blend as an oxygenate in a few regions of the state. With more than 100,000 flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) in the state capable of operating on E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol with 15% gasoline), there is a significant opportunity to expand the ethanol market in the state. In fact, McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis have begun using E85. Proponents recognize that ethanol provides environmental benefits, as well as opportunities for economic development with in-state production facilities and the use of agricultural feedstocks. FFVs are seen as extremely flexible, since they can operate on standard gasoline when taken outside of an area where E85 is available. Plus, since the vehicles already exist in great numbers, it makes sense to provide the E85 fuel. However, there is concern and confusion concerning the emissions and other benefits of ethanol, particularly when the full lifecycle from feedstock growth to fuel production and distribution is analyzed.

The following strategies will guide the work of the Coalition in this area:

• Work to secure in-state production facility(ies). Continue to work with those interested in developing production facilities. Facilitate communication with key parties, such as economic development offices and those involved in permitting.

• Provide education via website and displays. Research and provide information on lifecycle issues related to ethanol.

• Watch for opportunities for fuel station development and hosting workshops.

• Focus on E85, but also explore opportunities for promoting low-level blends, such as 10%, as a fuel oxygenate and as a means to reduce petroleum use.
  

Additional Resources:

• The US Department of Energy provides additional information on ethanol and ethanol vehicles.

• National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) The mission of the NEVC is to promote the use of 85 percent ethanol as a renewable form of alternative transportation fuel while enhancing agricultural profitability, advancing environmental stewardship and promoting national energy independence.  The website provides detailed information about ethanol, vehicle availability, fueling locations, and a pricing worksheet.  

• Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) The RFA is the trade association for the US ethanol industry.  The website resources include information on ethanol and the production process, publications, and discussion of public policy and legislation.   

• Custom Fuel Comparison Tools  The US Department of Energy provides a variety of tools that allow users to select fuels and compare their properties side-by-side.

Documents to Download:

• Guidebook for Handling, Storing and Dispensing Fuel Ethanol   Prepared for the US Department of Energy by the Argonne National Laboratory's Center for Transportation Research and in cooperation with the NEVC.

• Just the Facts: Ethanol    From the US Department of Energy's Office of Transportation Technologies, this fact sheet covers the basics on ethanol: "Why is ethanol important?" and "What are flex-fuel vehicles?" 

• Ethanol: Separating Fact from Fiction    Fact sheet that addresses some misconceptions about ethanol as a transportation fuel.  Produced for the US Department of Energy by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.  

• Ethanol Vehicle Purchasing Guide   This brochure provides comprehensive information on ethanol compatible or flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) available for 2004. The purchasing guide is produced by the NEVC.

• Biofuels for Your State   A 4-page overview of the economic and environmental benefits of building ethanol and biodiesel industries in your state and increasing the use of these fuels. Information provided includes benefits to agricultural sectors, job creation, benefits in greenhouse gas and air pollution reduction, and resources for additional information.

Can a Vehicle Be Converted to Run on Ethanol (E85)? 

Yes, it is possible, but there are currently no aftermarket conversion kits that meet EPA standards. The standards were developed in response to numerous alternative fuel conversion vehicles that were actually emitting more pollutants then when operating on gasoline.  EPA established Memorandum 1A, requiring that conversion equipment complete a certification process documenting that exhaust emissions of converted alternative fuel vehicles have as clean or cleaner exhaust emissions than when they were in their original gasoline powered state. The certification process is expensive and time consuming. There are no known efforts to develop and certify ethanol conversion equipment. Fortunately, the domestic automakers are producing several E85 vehicles at no incremental cost over the gasoline only vehicles and conversion kits.

Photo Credits: 1) Corn is the most common feedstock for ethanol production, Warren Gretz; 2) The leaf logo and FFV symbols designate the vehicle as an FFV, Warren Gretz.