Most ethanol is made from plant starches and sugars-particularly corn starch in the United States-but scientists are continuing to develop technologies that would allow for the use of cellulose and hemicellulose, the non-edible fibrous material that constitutes the bulk of plant matter. Roughly 97% of gasoline in the United States contains some ethanol. Some vehicles, called flexible fuel vehicles, are designed to run on E85 (a gasoline-ethanol blend containing 51%–83% ethanol, depending on geography and season), an alternative fuel with much higher ethanol content than regular gasoline. The most common blend of ethanol is E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) and is approved for use in most conventional gasoline-powered vehicles up to E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline). ETHANOLĮthanol (CH3CH2OH) is a renewable fuel that can be made from various plant materials, collectively known as “ biomass.” Ethanol is an alcohol used as a blending agent with gasoline to increase octane and cut down carbon monoxide and other smog-causing emissions. Watch the Energy 101 Video: Biofuels to learn more.
BETO is focused on the production of hydrocarbon biofuels-also known as “drop-in” fuels-which can serve as petroleum substitutes in existing refineries, tanks, pipelines, pumps, vehicles, and smaller engines. The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is collaborating with industry to develop next-generation biofuels made from wastes, cellulosic biomass, and algae-based resources.
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