Ethanol

Ethanol is a renewable fuel currently distilled primarily from corn. In the future, ethanol will be produced from cellulose feedstocks such as wood waste and agricultural residues, which are abundant in Oregon.

Ethanol is blended with gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide pollution and the exhaust pollutants that contribute to smog.  Each gallon of corn ethanol used in a 10% blend with gasoline cuts greenhouse gas emissions 12-19%.

The ethanol content in gasoline can be as high as 10% without needing to modify standard engines.

Many automobile manufacturers make “flex-fuel” versions of their standard gasoline-powered vehicles. Flex-fuel cars can use even higher blends of ethanol, known as E85 (85% ethanol; 15% gasoline).

Learn more about ethanol and where to fuel up in Oregon.