Where does Ethanol come from?
There are basically two sources of ethanol: starch ethanol produced from the fruit and the seeds of plants (kernels of corn produces corn ethanol) and cellulosic ethanol produced from whole plants — leaves, stems, stalks, etc.

In 2004, 11% of our country’s corn harvest produced 3.4 billion gallons of corn ethanol. 95% of all ethanol produced in the United States comes from corn. Although other crops can be used to produce ethanol for fuel, corn is the prime source in the United States. In Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world, sugar cane is used to produce the equivalent of 300,000 barrels of oil a day. But of course Brazil began its ethanol program 30 years ago in the midst of the fuel crunch of the 70’s. In April of 2006, Brazil announced that it no longer has to import foreign oil from the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.

Currently there are 107 grain ethanol production facilities in the United States with the capacity to produce more than 5.1 billion gallons of ethanol annually. There are also 56 construction projects underway which will add another 3.8 billion gallons to the annual production. There are at least two ethanol production facilities planned to be constructed on the coast of North Carolina. Both locations are scheduled to have actual ethanol production by late 2007. These facilities will be the first of their kind east of the Mississippi River. Until those sites are up and running, our ethanol will be coming from the Midwest, USA.


  Ethanol at the Pump?

Ethanol is usually blended with gasoline to produce different levels of ethanol fuel. E10 is a mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% regular gasoline. This produces a fuel with an 89 octane rating. E10 can be used in all regular gas fueled cars and trucks. By using E10, you can reduce the CO2 emission levels by 3 to 6% and reduce the use of fossil fuel petroleum. Yes, using E10 will make a difference!

E85 contains a higher percent of ethanol than E10. It is a combination of 85% ethanol and 15% regular gasoline. This renewable alternative fuel has a 105 octane rating which is higher than the 93 octane of supreme grade fuel. Since E85 has a higher ethanol content, it can only be used in specific vehicles. These vehicles are called Flex Fuel Vehicles or FFV’s. These vehicles can fuel up with regular gasoline, E85 and even mix together between fuel ups. All three of the major auto manufacturers produce FFV’s. By the end of 2006, there will be more than 6 million of these vehicles on the road. Production of these vehicles began in 1998. So don’t think it is just the latest cars on the market. Refer to the FFV section on our Home Page for more information on FFV’s. Click on www.e85fuel.com for an updated list of FFV’s that have been produced since 1998.

  Why should I use ethanol fuel?

1. Ethanol fuel is renewable and burns cleaner than gasoline.
2. Ethanol fuel emits less harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide.
3. Additional farmland use would help US farmers and the economy.
4. Very little petroleum is used in ethanol production reducing our dependency on foreign oil.
5. E85 typically costs less at the pump than regular unleaded gasoline.

  FAQ

Q. Can I use E85 or E10 in my car?
A. E10 can be used in any gasoline powered vehicle without any modifications to the engine or fuel system. E85 can only be used in Flex Fuel Vehicles. Check your owner’s manual concerning your specific vehicle. You may also refer to the vehicle list available at www.e85fuel.com

Q. Will I get more or less miles per gallon using ethanol fuel?
A. Flex Fuel Vehicles may experience a 5% to 15% drop in fuel economy. Thomas Petroleum’s E85 product contains a non-traditional fuel additive mixture of complex chemical molecules based entirely upon surfactant chemistry, which when blended, positively alters the composition and make up of the finished product. This technology helps restore original engine performance and works to increase miles per gallon by effectively maximizing the energy released from the fuel. This will eliminate some of the loss in miles per gallon. Keep in mind the additional variables to fuel economy include weather, vehicle engine’s tune up, road grade, tire pressure and air conditioner use. You’ll discover the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of E85 outweigh any variation in miles per gallon. Vehicles using E10 will not experience any noticeable loss in miles per gallon.

Q. Does it take more energy to produce ethanol than what is returned?
A. Several studies have been made on this topic. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council and Climate Solutions, they determined that both corn and cellulosic ethanol production return renewable energy on their fossil energy investments. Additional studies will be conducted as more advanced ethanol production facilities are being constructed. As the energy return on investment shows, corn ethanol is providing important fossil fuel savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions today and it is providing even bigger oil savings.


Information listed in this fact sheet was obtained from various sources. In terms of ethanol production and ethanol use as an alternative fuel for motoring vehicles, the United States is still in its infancy. As with any new product, it takes time to study, review, examine and judge the overall usefulness of the product. No matter whose opinion you wish to believe concerning the use of ethanol as a replacement fuel source, the bottom line is America is in need of locating a viable alternative fuel source to remove our nation’s dependency on foreign oil and keep our money here in the United States.

It is our belief that the fuel of tomorrow is here today — ethanol.

1. NRDC: Ethanol: Money Well Spent, A Survey of Studies Published Since 1990.
2. NEVC: The American Fuel, Fuel from the Midwest NOT the Mideast 2005.
3. MSNBC.com A Simple Solution to Pain at the Pump, May 9, 2006.