As consumers look for alternatives to fossil fuels, ethanol gasoline gives the buyer a high octane, clean burning fuel alternative that is American made and renewable. Ethanol is alcohol-based fuel that is created when manufacturers ferment and distill starch crops, such as corn. Having an ethanol plant in your state brings money back to your local farmers because it gives their agricultural products additional value.

Ethanol production helps decrease the need for fossil fuels, it reduces the amount of harmful auto emissions, and it gives a fuel alternative to consumers. Many new vehicles are offering tanks that can take corn ethanol, and more and more ethanol vendors are becoming available to supply your business with fuel stations. You can now easily find ethanol gas in most areas as a sensible alternative.

To make the most of ethanol news and trends:

1. Begin with those in the ethanol industry to find out the newest information.

2. Keep up with the latest ethanol publications.

3. Watch for breaking news on the ethanol industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with industry affiliations

Find out about ethanol the newest industry facts and industry information from those who know it best. Discover information from coalitions of ethanol fuel companies as well as the companies that supply them.

I recommend: Learn all about ethanol from the American Coalition for Ethanol. They can tell you all about the production and the many uses of ethanol fuel. The National Corn Growers Association also offers a helpful ethanol basics website to help you understand about the industry of ethanol, its impact on the economy and the environment.

Read the most up-to-date ethanol fuel publications

Find out ethanol basics from the latest industry publications. Subscribe to magazines or newsletters, or checkout the latest online publications.

I recommend: Subscribe to a free newsletter from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition to keep up with the latest news on using 85 percent ethanol (E85) motor fuel. Use the site to also find industry contacts. Subscribe for free to Ethanol Producer Magazine. Also check out their web exclusive content.

Catch the breaking ethanol news

Ethanol fuel is a hot topic, and you can frequently find breaking industry news. Keep an eye and an ear out for the latest information.

I recommend: Check out the latest ethanol industry news from NewsLib. There you can find daily articles from the world. EthanolMarket.com will give you breaking news, commodity prices and ethanol futures prices. You can sign up to join their email list.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The cost of ethanol varies by region, with it being the least expensive in the Midwest.
• •  E10 is another form of ethanol, and it is approved for use by all auto manufacturers in gasoline vehicles. The blend is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline.

Ethanol is a new type of fuel for cars. Unlike gasoline that relies on oil, ethanol producers make ethanol gasoline locally from crops like corn. You may also have it heard it called grain alcohol. Ethanol is cheaper to produce than gasoline and is more environmentally friendly both when produced and when burned.

Ethanol fuel is becoming a popular choice for businesses that need fuel for cars and trucks, since it’s more economical and environmentally friendly. If you’re thinking about using ethanol in your business, consider this:

1. Learn about the different types of ethanol and which one is appropriate for your business.

2. Purchase vehicles that can use ethanol.

3. Find ethanol stations in your area.

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Obtain valuable information about ethanol production

There are many types of ethanol. E10 is easy to find is safe for all vehicles. E10 ethanol is a 10% mixture of ethanol and a 90% mixture of gasoline. E85 ethanol is the environmentally friendly, cheaper ethanol that you're probably looking for. E85 ethanol is a mixture of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol. You must have a special vehicle for E85 ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol is a specific way of making ethanol from cellulose in plants.

I recommend: Go to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) website for more information about cellulosic ethanol. If you’re curious about ethanol production and how an ethanol plant runs, go the American Coalition for Ethanol.

Find a car that runs on ethanol

E85 requires a special car, called a flexible fuel vehicle, to effectively run the vehicle's motor. Luckily, more and more car manufactures are building flex fuel vehicles.

I recommend: Ford Motor Company has flexible fuel vehicles and is continuing to work to build models that use ethanol. You can also go to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition for a list of cars compatible with E85.

Find ethanol pumping stations

Once you have a car that runs on ethanol, you have to find ethanol vendors in your area. While E10 fuel is fairly standard in gas stations across the nation, finding E85 is harder. Luckily, as the demand for ethanol increases, more and more vendors will sell it.

I recommend: Go the U.S. Department of Energy to find a ethanol vendor that sells ethanol in your area. Can’t find a station in your area? You can request a service station to start offering E85 in your area at the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As the cost of gasoline continues to rise, there will be more and more interest in alternative fuel sources like ethanol. While ethanol is popular choice, we're still learning about how to use ethanol cheaply, without impacting the environment.

No matter what aspect of the ethanol industry you work in, utilizing education and training programs to increase individual and workplace understanding is critical for professional expertise and safety. Having a thorough knowledge base to work with is must, even for those who do not work at an ethanol plant.

Before you find ethanol gas programs in your area, consider the following regarding ethanol education and training:

1. Find ethanol fuel training programs in your geographical location or online.

2. Take a look at professional resources regarding ethanol production and use.

3. Utilize supplementary materials available online to further your understanding of cellulosic ethanol.

Action Steps
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Enroll in an ethanol gas training program for those who work with vehicles using ethanol gasoline

Participating in a specialized training program highlighting corn ethanol will be especially useful for auto service professionals and technicians. Whether you are just starting to work with ethanol or have been in the business for a while, utilizing such courses will further your expertise and refresh or enhance your skill set. Many training programs are available online to make the process easier for working professionals.

I recommend: Learn about the Ethanol Fuel Performance Training program offered by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and take advantage of the interactive online training course. View the Auto Technician Training programs available at IQ Learning Systems.

Access E85 ethanol information and training for you or your workplace

Take advantage of educational links and information available online. Many websites offer an abundance of materials available to the public and useful for ethanol vendors, ethanol fuel companies and ethanol professionals. Use these resources to become better aquainted with all aspects of this alternative fuel.

I recommend: Utilize the supplementary materials and information provided by Ethanol Across America. Learn about E85 training through the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center at the U.S. Department of Energy, a useful educational tool for drivers, management and staff.

Learn about or refresh your knowledge pertaining to ethanol gas

Whether you are interested in learning more about Brazil ethanol or cellulosic ethanol, accessing online resources is a fast and easy way to do so. Having such materials on-hand will be beneficial as it will bolster your understanding of ethanol before or after a training course. There are a number of websites that provide free information and downloads to the public.

I recommend: Visit the American Coalition for Ethanol to obtain ethanol stats and laws and access the ACE State-by-State Ethanol Handbook. Download educational materials provided by the Governors' Ethanol Coalition.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you are perusing an ethanol producers directory to find a company to do business with, make sure you are provided background information and qualifications. It will be beneficial for your company or place of employment to ensure that the company you are interacting with has taken the appropriate ethanol education and training courses.

Ethanol and other renewable fuel sources are not only becoming popular, but they are a socially responsible fuel choice that will take us into the next century. Familiarizing yourself with the terminology surrounding this topic will help you in both business and social settings.

Ethanol key terms include laws surrounding ethanol, properties of fuels made by ethanol, as well as products and byproducts from the production of the fuel. Whatever the terminology, though, knowing the definitions of words and acronyms surrounding this field will help you at every step of the ethanol business chain as well as help in conversations with the everyday consumer.

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Biodiesel

Biodiesel is made from soy oil blended with standard diesel and other additives to give a renewable fuel source. Research is being done to try and do the same thing with diesel blends mixed with ethanol.

I recommend: Take advantage of the many print resources materials on biodiesel from the National Biodiesel Board.

Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS)

Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is a section of energy legislation being proposed on the federal level that mandates that the nation's transportation fuel supply industry use a set minimum number of gallons of renewable fuel. Ethanol falls under this category of renewable fuel, as does biodiesel.

I recommend: Find out more about the Renewable Fuels Standard from the US government's Environmental Protection Agency.

Co-products

Co-products are the byproducts of ethanol plants from ethanol production. They include feed for livestock, corn sweeteners and oil as well as carbon dioxide.

I recommend: Learn about ethanol products and co-products from the National Corn Growers Association.

Octane rating

Octane rating of a vehicle tells the 'antiknock' properties of your fuel source. If you have a high number for your octane rating, it means that your fuel will burn slower and that your engine will be less likely to 'knock.'

I recommend: Discover more about octane ratings from TheServiceAdvisor.com.

Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)

Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) is a fuel made from ethanol that has lower volatility and blending properties.

I recommend: Find out more about ethyl tertiary butyl ether from the LyondellBasell.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are engine exhaust emissions that are air pollutants. They are reduced by 12% when you use ethanol fuels.

I recommend: Interactive Learning Paradigms offers helpful information on understanding volatile organic compounds.