Bioethanol

What is bioethanol?

Like biodiesel, bioethanol is a liquid biofuel. It is made from starch plants (like corn, wheat and cassava), sugar plants (beet and cane) and sometimes cellulose plants (trees). It is produced first by fermentation, followed by distillation and finally dehydration.

Bioethanol is usually available in a relatively weak blend of 5 per cent ethanol and 95 per cent unleaded petrol.

Bioethanol is available in an 85 per cent blend (E85) from a limited number of outlets and some manufacturers have models for sale in the UK which are modified to run on this blend.

What are the environmental benefits of bioethanol?

Because the crops used to make bioethanol take in carbon dioxide when they grow, bioethanol is considered a renewable fuel. It can provide significant reductions in CO2 well to wheel, however this can vary considerably depending on the source and supplier of the fuel. Further details are available from the Renewable Fuels Agency http://www.dft.gov.uk/rfa/

How much does it cost to buy and run a bioethanol vehicle?

The limited number of bioethanol vehicles available cost around £500 more than their petrol equivalent. The running costs are similar, however a suitable car running on E85 will consume more fuel as ethanol has a lower energy content than petrol. Official fuel consumption figures are based on the car running on petrol.

The tax on bioethanol is currently 20 pence per litre lower than for petrol. Pump prices of 5% ethanol blended fuel are roughly the same as standard petrol, the saving in tax being offset by the higher price of the fuel.

Where can I refuel with bioethanol?

Standard pump fuel can contain up to 5% bioethanol and will be required to do so by 2013. Higher blends are available at some Morrisons supermarkets http://www.morrisons.co.uk/Store-Finder/Store-services/Petrol-stations/Locations-with-E85/

Is bioethanol currently being used anywhere?

Currently Brazil is the world's largest producer of bioethanol, with 45 per cent of all fuel used in cars there being bioethanol. Brazil has two fuels - petrol containing 25 per cent ethanol and 100 per cent ethanol. 60 per cent of new cars sold are 100 per cent ethanol fuelled. The USA and Sweden also have well-established bioethanol networks.