Alcohol Blends [1]

Motor fuel that consists of a mixture of gasoline [2] and alcohol, typically methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol.

Alcohol blends up to 10 percent alcohol can operate in essentially the same type of internal combustion engine [3] as gasoline, (high-speed racing cars burn pure alcohol). Each fuel, however, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Alcohol creates less air pollution than gasoline, but alcohol-powered vehicles get fewer miles per gallon.

In an effort to reduce crude oil [4] consumption while simultaneously lowering pollution and improving engine performance, refiners have developed various blends of gasoline and alcohol. The original blend was marketed under the name of Gasohol [5]. Gasohol consists of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol (alcohol). Another blend, M-85, consists of 85 percent methanol (methyl alcohol) and 15 percent unleaded gasoline.