Usage

The most common use of ethanol

is to fuel cars and trucks. With

some minor adjustments to

gasoline engines and fuel pump

systems, ethanol can be used to

power cars.  Furthermore, since

ethanol can be used in a modified gasoline engine, it has can also be used to

fuel farm equipment and airplanes [WIKI ethanol fuel].  Ethanol can be as an

energy source for flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs).  FFVs are automobiles that are

capable of being powered by either gasoline or E85(85%ethanol / 15%gas).

However, compared to gasoline powered automobiles, those that run on E85

experience an average fuel economy reduction of 27 percent [Consumer 15].

This is a result of ethanol’s lower energy output per gallon.  E85 fuel provides

75,670 BTUs/Gallon, whereas Gasoline provides 115,400 BTUs/Gallon[Consumer

16].  Nevertheless, over thirty models of cars are currently in production by GM,

Ford, DiamlerChrysler, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz that have the ability to use

E85 as their primary fuel [US DOE~2007 FFV ].  In total, 5 million ethanol

powered vehicles have been manufactured to date.  This year another 1 million

such vehicles will be produced [Consumer 16].

Aside from ethanol being used as the majority component in fuels such as E85

where 85 percent of the fuel mixture is ethanol, it can also be used as a gasoline

additive. As an additive, ethanol can be used to reduce our gasoline

consumption by substituting ethanol. Moreover, blends such as 10 percent

ethanol and 90 percent gas (E10) can be used in any gasoline powered car

without modification to the engine or fuel system.