According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cars designed to use E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) provide the following pollution reductions:
- Organic compound emissions are reduced by 15 percent.
- Carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by 40 percent.
- Particulate emissions are reduced by 20 percent.
- Nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by 10 percent.
- Sulfate emissions are reduced by 80 percent.
EPA also reports that in the Midwest, ethanol blends are sold at prices equivalent to or less than mid-grade gasoline.
“All the resources needed to produce [ethanol] can be supplied domestically,” EPA observes.
For a more complete discussion of the pros and cons of ethanol fuel, visit the EPA Web site http://www.epa.gov/OMS/consumer/fuels/altfuels/420f00035.pdf.
— James Hoare