Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, can be blended with gasoline as an oxygenate or fuel extender for use in gasoline vehicles, or it can be used alone in "flexible-fuel vehicles" that run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline. Research has demonstrated that all vehicles can run on E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) with no adverse consequences such as corrosion of certain metal parts. Studies are currently being conducted to determine if blends between E10 and E20 can be used in standard gasoline engines without modifications.   Higher blends like E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) can be used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) with gasoline engines. E95 (95% ethanol, 5% gasoline) can be used in diesel engines.  However, biodiesel (often made from soybean oil, canola oil or waste grease) is fast becoming the alternative fuel of choice in diesel engines.

Fuel up with Ethanol
There are over 50 E85 pumps located at public service stations throughout the state. More E85 pumps are expected to be installed as the supply of Michigan produced ethanol increases. Visit the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition website for a listing of E85 pumps and their locations.

Gas stations in Michigan are not required to label E10 dispensing pumps, but are required to label higher ethanol gasoline blends such as E85. In order for a car to use E85, the fuel tank, fuel lines and injectors, computer system, anti-siphon device and dashboard gauges must be modified slightly. Because alcohols are corrosive, any metal part that comes in contact with the higher blend ethanol fuels must be upgraded.  Vehicles converted to use E85 must be certified according to Mobile Source Enforcement Memorandum 1A (Memo 1A). Only companies obtaining certification may perform alternative fuel vehicle conversions. You can tell by your vehicle identification number (VIN) if your vehicle was manufactured with these upgrades.
 
There are also many other "niche" markets where ethanol can be utilized.  These markets are usually much smaller than the general transportation fuel market yet they can still create a considerable demand for a smaller fuel-producing industry like ethanol.  Niche markets for ethanol include: fuel cells, e-diesel, aviation, snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles, boats and other personal watercraft, and small engine equipment.
 
Ethanol Production
In the United States, ethanol or ethyl alcohol, is produced primarily from corn. However, grasses, wood, fruit, and food processing waste can also produce ethanol. In fact, in Brazil, most ethanol is produced from sugar cane. As research on alternative fuels continues, we may see ethanol produced far more efficiently from branches of trees and certain types of grass--(cellulosic ethanol). Currently, four Michigan plants are producing over 200 million gallons of ethanol per year. These plants add more than 100 full time jobs and purchase around 70 million bushels of corn per year from Michigan farmers.

Michigan Activities

E85 Conversion Grants
Renewable Fuels Commission 
Michigan Ethanol News 
Ethanol related grants funded by the Biomass Energy Program

Links

E-85 vehicle list 
E-85 Refueling Sites in Michigan 
American Coalition for Ethanol 
Fuel Ethanol Industry Directory 
Michigan Corn Marketing Program (MCMP) 
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
Renewable Fuels Association

Ethanol Publications