E10 is 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, a fuel blend covered under warranty by every automobile manufacturer that sells vehicles in the U.S. for every make and every model of automobile. Many even recommend its use because of its high octane and superior performance characteristics.
How do I know if I’m getting ethanol-blended fuel at the gas station? Some, but not all, gas pumps will be labeled with the amount of ethanol contained in the fuel. States determine whether they have mandatory, voluntary, or no pump labeling laws.
Where can I buy ethanol-blended gasoline? Because ethanol-blended fuel is becoming more and more common, the real question is the opposite: where isn't ethanol-blended fuel sold? Ethanol blends are sold extensively throughout the Midwest where most of the country’s ethanol is produced. In Minnesota, for example, every gallon of unleaded gasoline contains 10% ethanol.
With 25 states banning the fuel additive MTBE and increasing demand for fuel across the country, ethanol is also used in major East and West Coast markets.
Do people ever use more or less than the 10% ethanol blend? The vast majority of the more than 4 billion gallons of ethanol used annually in the U.S. is used as E10, the 10% blend approved for all makes and models of vehicles.In a few areas of the country, though, ethanol blends of 5.7% or 7.7% are used.
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that is mean for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).
What does the term “oxygenate” mean? Ethanol is an oxygenate, meaning it adds valuable oxygen to the gasoline. More oxygen in a fuel allows it to burn more completely and cleanly. Ethanol is 35% oxygen by weight, so a 10% ethanol blend produces gasoline with 3.5% oxygen. Oxygenates are required in some areas of the country with air pollution concerns.
What is the octane level of ethanol? Pure ethanol carries an octane rating of 113, so adding 10% ethanol to unleaded gasoline will raise the fuel’s octane rating by between 2 and 3 points.
Is ethanol a new product? No. Ethanol, at its most basic, is grain alcohol and has been around for centuries. Henry Ford envisioned his automobiles running on this type of alcohol instead of on gasoline.
Can E10 be used in small engines? Yes. Ethanol-blended fuel is safe to use in small engines like motorcycles, lawn mowers, trimmers, boats, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, ATVs, and many others. Manufacturers understand that a considerable portion of the gasoline sold in this country contains ethanol and ensure that their products are compatible with oxygenated fuel.
Ethanol in the Energy Policy Act
The following is a reference taken from the signing of the Energy Policy Act by President George W. Bush:
"The bill also will lead to a greater diversity of fuels for cars and trucks. The bill includes tax incentives for producers of ethanol and biodiesel. The bill includes a flexible, cost-effective renewable fuel standard that will double the amount of ethanol and biodiesel in our fuel supply over the next seven years. Using ethanol and biodiesel will leave our air cleaner. And every time we use a home-grown fuel, particularly these, we're going to be helping our farmers, and at the same time, be less dependent on foreign sources of energy."
