What is ethanol? Ethanol is a naturally oxygenated fuel produced by fermenting organic materials such as corn, grains, crop waste materials, and forestry waste materials. Ethanol is usually blended with gasoline at different levels. E10 is a premium high-octane gasoline for cars and E85 (85% ethanol 15% gasoline) is used as an alternative fuel for light-duty vehicles. What types of vehicles can use ethanol? E10 can be used in any gasoline vehicle without modification. E85, however, offers a higher octane rating and must be used in specified vehicles. All major domestic automakers offer E85 compatible vehicles, or flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), at prices comparable to gasoline vehicles. According to the Department of Energy, approximately one million light-duty E85 vehicles were in operation in 2000. Applications for E85 include non-diesel fleet vehicles, buses, light-duty vehicles and delivery trucks. How does ethanol perform? Vehicles operating on E10 achieve the performance and range expected from a premium fuel. Vehicles running on E85 may have a shorter range than gasoline vehicles. The benefit of operating FFVs, which can run on either E85 or gasoline, is that they allow vehicle operators the ability to obtain fuel in areas where E85 is not available. Because of the differences between ethanol and gasoline, E85 requires vehicles to have special fuel lines, hoses, gas tanks, valves and gaskets. E85 content may be lowered to 70% in severe cold weather conditions to avoid cold start problems. E10 and E85 burn more completely and at a cooler temperature than gasoline, resulting in fewer combustion deposits and longer spark plug life. What are the benefits of using ethanol? Vehicles running on ethanol fuels emit less carbon monoxide and other toxic chemicals than those running on gasoline. They also emit the same or lower levels of hydrocarbon and non-methane hydrocarbons. E85 has fewer highly volatile chemicals than gasoline, resulting in fewer evaporative emissions. Ethanol blended fuels derived from grain will result in lower life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions because it is derived from plant material that takes in carbon dioxide as it grows. E85 is more flammable than gasoline at low temperatures (32F), but less flammable at normal temperatures. Pure ethanol is non-toxic, water soluble and biodegradable. Producing ethanol can reduce the amount of waste materials in landfills and the environment if produced from crop, animal or forestry waste materials. Significant benefits of ethanol include reducing our dependence on foreign oil and providing alternative markets for farmers. Where can I get ethanol? If you are eligible to but off of North Carolina State Contract, go to the NC Purchase and Contact "Term Contract Keyword Listing" at http://www.doa.state.nc.us/PandC/keyword.htm and look under "Fuel,..." for the latest information on ethanol providers, prices, etc. Also, State and local government and educational institutions can contact Jackie Montgomery of the Department of Administration's Motor Fleet Management Division (http://www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/mfm/welcome.htm) who can be contacted at 919-733-7773 or Jackie.Montgomery@ncmail.net. See also our Biofuels Retail Station Locations factsheet and Ethanol Factsheet for distributor information. Resources National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition American Coalition for Ethanol Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Developed in Cooperation with the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition