by Juliannah Jamarin

Created on: June 09, 2009

Ethanol fuel is manufactured from the conversion of carbon based feed stocks such as barley, switch grass, sugar cane, sugar beets and corn. It is a gasoline alternative and believed to be better for the environment. Ethanol is either blended with gasoline or used alone. The 100% ethanol is called E100. The blended version is called EB5 and is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

Ethanol is not available everywhere or at every fueling station. Three main groups are working to make ethanol more widely available in the United States. Renewable Fuels Association, American Coalition for Ethanol and Ethanol Promotion and Information Council are working not only on making ethanol available but to educate people to the benefits of buying more flex-fuel vehicles. Some benefits of switching to ethanol are better gas mileage and less air pollution.

A station locater can be found on the US Department of Energy's website. Consumers can select not only Ethanol but also other types of alternative fuels and select their state of choice to find a station in their area. There is even a tool to map a route. Travelers can take a route to be able to not only arrive at their destination, but also be able to refuel with ethanol or the alternative fuel of their choice.

Anther good website for locating ethanol is National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. This group provides a printable list with the names of stations carrying ethanol in each state. The website also provides information for Ethanol retailers such where to find ethanol suppliers and industry support.

Most stations also display signs stating that their fueling station is selling alternative fuels for consumer use. At this time, there are more than 900 fueling stations in the United States but most are located in the Midwest.

Many people have also begun making ethanol. Robert Warren, who passed away on November 21, 2004, has a website still maintained by his daughter that gives systematic instructions on how to build a still and produce the ethanol. The site also has instructions for converting an existing gasoline-burning vehicle to an ethanol-burning vehicle.

With just a little research and time, consumers in most areas can find ethanol to use in flex-fuel vehicles. Almost 2 million vehicles are equipped to run on ethanol each year with that number expected to increase in the future. In addition, as the United States progresses into the future, more stations will provide ethanol and other alternative fuels.

Learn more about this author, Juliannah Jamarin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.