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As you pull into your local gasoline station to refill your tank, you notice that, along with the regular three grades of gasoline, the station offers an ethanol blend. You recall hearing about the benefits of ethanol, such as how it helps the environment, improves rural economies, and reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports. However, you still decide not to use the ethanol blend. Why not? Because you're not sure if your car can safely burn an ethanol blend and you do not want to risk paying for car repairs if it cannot.

The following information may help you determine if you can use ethanol blends in your car the next time you fill up at the pump. Today, two main blends of ethanol are sold - 85 percent of ethanol blended with gasoline and 10 percent ethanol blended with gasoline, referred to as E85 and E10, respectively. In 2002, 99 percent of fuel ethanol consumed was E10, with the rest E85 blends.

E85 - Although E85 is a small percentage of the total, the future of E85 fuels is bright. In fact, the level of E85 consumption in the United States has increased from just under 700 million gallons consumed 1996 to over 10 billion gallons consumed in 2002.¹ The major "driver" of the increase in E85 consumption is the growing number of flexible fueled vehicles (FFVs) on the road. Since 1996, Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors have manufactured and sold over 1.6 million FFVs nationwide that are capable of operating on E85 fuel or conventional gasoline. ² Only FFVs can use E85, but they are not difficult to find. They include models such as the Ford Taurus, Dodge Caravan, and Chevy Silverado. A comprehensive list of FFVs can be found in the 2004 Purchasing Guide for Flexible-Fuel Vehicles . Additionally, Clean Cities offers a buyers guide for these vehicles.

Once you know if you have a car compatible with E85, the next step is to find the nearest station that sells it. Currently, there are only about 180 gas stations in the U.S. offering E85, mostly in the Midwest.³ The Alternative Fuels Data Center provides an up-to-date list of stations, as well as maps and directions to these stations, at their Alternative Fuel Station Map Site . In Canada, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association provides a list of the ethanol retailers in each of the provinces at their Directory of Ethanol Retailers.

E10 - If you do not own a FFV, E10 gasoline may still be used in your vehicle. The use of E10 is covered under warranty by automakers selling cars in the U.S., including DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Ford, General Motors, and Honda.⁴ Visit the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Website to find a comprehensive list of which Automaker Fuel Recommendations include E10.

One of the most common misconceptions regarding ethanol use is that it plugs fuel filters. On the contrary, ethanol has detergent properties which make it a valuable cleaning agent to help prevent fuel filters from plugging.⁵ If your mechanic is uncertain about using ethanol in your specific vehicle, they should consult the Changes in Gasoline Manual: The Auto Technician's Gasoline Quality Guide .

Ethanol-blended fuels can also be used in your yard care equipment, snowmobiles, ATVs, or boats. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and blower vacs have all been tested with ethanol fuels and have shown no engine failures, no unscheduled maintenance, and good performance. The RFA website 2003 Power Equipment Fuel Recommendations shows that E10 can be used as a fuel for these products.

For example, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has persuaded snowmobile rental agencies in West Yellowstone to try ethanol blended fuels and alternative oil products. Since all rental businesses have started using these products exclusively, the result has been a reduction in air pollution in the park.⁶ Although, snowmobile manufacturers approve the use of ethanol in their products, they also recommend changing to a larger main carburetor jet size when operating on an oxygenated fuel. Additionally, watercraft manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki, Mercury Marine, OMC (Johnson/Evinrude), Pleasurecraft, Tigershark (Artco), Tracker and Yamaha allow the use of oxygenated fuels in their products under certain restrictions.⁷

Remember that the use of ethanol-blended fuels is not just for a specially designed "car of the future." Today, all cars, trucks, snowmobiles, boats, ATVs, lawnmowers, weed trimmers, and other equipment can use E10 as a fuel. Although you need a FFV to use E85, these vehicles include some of most popular models being sold today. As a consumer, you can have a direct effect on decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign imports of oil, improving the environment, and supporting rural economic growth.

Clarification: The September 2003 feature article described hydrogen-related research needs outlined in the Technical Advisory Committee's Roadmap. While the Committee's Roadmap does outline research needs related to converting biomass resources to hydrogen, and other investigations surrounding hydrogen energy, the September feature article did not accurately reflect the Committee's position or support related to this topic. In fact, the Committee has yet to reach a position on the potential of hydrogen production from biomass and will review the subject further during 2004.

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In 2000, the state of Montana consumed 594 trillion Btus of energy. Coal and petroleum accounted for 33 and 32 percent of the total consumption, respectively. Hydroelectric provided 19 percent and natural gas provided 13 percent of the total consumption. In Montana, biomass supplied over 3 percent of the total consumption, or over 16 trillion Btus.¹

Currently, Montana uses 17.5 million gallons of ethanol blend annually and has two E85 fueling stations.^2,3 Since 1997, staff at Yellowstone National Park have operated the park's fleet of 100 snowmobiles with E10 and bio-based lube oil. In fact, the park's entire fleet of gasoline-powered vehicles are required to use E10.⁴ In 1995, Yellowstone also was the site of a pilot project on the use of biodiesel in its fleet. As a result of the successful Truck in the Park project, the use of biodiesel in national parks was expanded through the Green Energy Parks Program. Presently 20 national parks are using biodiesel or biodiesel blends.⁵ In October 2002, Glacier National Park started testing the use of biodiesel in its fleet and, in June 2003, its entire fleet switched over to B20.⁶

Montana offers a number of incentives to encourage the use of biomass. The Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) provides loans to individuals and small businesses for the purpose of building alternative energy systems, including biomass, for residences and small businesses to generate energy for their own use and for net metering. The state also offers a 35 percent tax credit for individuals or businesses that invest $5,000 or more in a commercial system or net metering system that generates energy by means of an alternative renewable energy source, such as biomass. ⁷

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