The carbon dioxide emitted by cars when ethanol is burned is offset by the carbon dioxide captured when feedstock crops are grown to produce ethanol. This is different from gasoline and diesel, which are refined products from petroleum produced on Earth. When these petroleum products are burned, no emissions are balanced.

Low-blend gasoline E10 or lower does not require special refueling equipment, and any conventional gasoline car can use them. Mixtures above E10 can also be used in current refueling equipment. But some equipment needs to be upgraded. FFV can work on E85, gasoline, or any mixture of ethanol msds and gasoline. They are provided as standard equipment at no added cost. As such, they are a cheap alternative fuel vehicle option.

The difference between ethanol and gasoline

A gallon of gasoline provides one-third more energy than a gallon of ethanol. The blended fuel E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) has about 30% less power than pure gasoline. Ethanol and gasoline are similar in terms of power, acceleration, and cruising ability, but ethanol gets fewer miles per gallon than pure gasoline.

Ethanol can be harmful to fuel systems and engines. But pure gasoline is not. Water pollution and fuel separation are the most critical issues. Ethanol absorbs water and water from the air.

When the "gasoline alcohol" absorbs enough water, fuel water contamination occurs in the car's fuel tank. This affects engine performance. When the car is stopped for a period of time, the fuel separates and the gas and water in the tank are stratified. If the motor drains the water layer into the engine, serious and expensive losses can occur.