You’ve heard of the terms E10 and E15 at gas stations, but what is ethanol-free gas? Is it better than what you currently use, and what are the implications for your budget and the environment?
This article will cover the pros and cons of this gas and what it is. We’ll look at how long it lasts and whether you can mix it with regular. Keep reading to kill the curious cat, and we’ll also take a look at its engine performance on gas mileage.
Summary
Non-ethanol gas is a type of gas that doesn’t contain ethanol and therefore doesn’t burn as fast. Ethanol-free gas lasts up to six months, and its biggest pro is that it’s better for your engine. Non-ethanol’s biggest con is that it is worse in terms of pollution because it doesn’t burn as cleanly. It’s also good to know that you can mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas in a car.
Here are all the topics we’ll take a look at:
- What is it?
- Can you put it in your car?
- Can you mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas in a car?
- Where do you buy this type of gas?
- Ethanol-Free Gas Pros and cons: is it better?
- Is it good for your car?
- Are there any brands that are better or worse?
- What are flex-fuel vehicles?
- What are the different blends?
- What is non-oxy?
- That’s it, folks!
What is it?
To understand what gas is, you must understand what role ethanol plays in your fuel. Ethanol is usually in the 10% or 15% parts of your gas to oxidize the fuel and help it burn faster.
It also makes the burning cleaner, so fewer emissions are released into the environment. It’s also non-toxic and biodegradable since it’s made from substances like corn or soybeans.
Now to the tricky part. Ethanol-free gas boasts of fuel that comes without adding 10-15% and provides several upsides many aren’t aware of. This includes better mileage and less dependence on the production crops.
It even provides longer shelf life. The production also leads to high greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it even more controversial. That’s why people are getting serious about the shift that is happening.
Can you put it in your car?
Of course! Not only is non-ethanol gas compatible with cars, but it also leads to better fuel economy and mileage. This is because the mixture of ethanol leads to less energy being derived from the fuel.
If you have a flex-fuel engine, you can pretty much enjoy the benefit of any blend of gas. Gas without ethanol won’t harm your car engine, but fuel with too much of it certainly will!
Can you mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas in a car?
Yes! There’s no problem in adding the pure stuff to your regular fuel with ethanol because ethanol-mixed blends already contain real gasoline. However, there might be a problem if you shift from the pure to the regular stuff. Then your car is likely to be interrupted while enjoying the benefits of the real pure stuff.
Where do you buy this type of gas?
Some states are pushing to make E10 and E15 blends mandatory. Finding non-ethanol gas stations in the US will be a challenge. However, there are several resources you can use to find out the nearest station.
This map will let you find your nearest pure gas stations anywhere in the USA or Canada. Just enter your state, and you’ll find the pins all over the state map that will lead you to the right place.
Ethanol-Free Gas Pros and cons: is it better?
Let’s look at all the downsides and upsides of using ethanol-free gas.
| Pros | Cons |
| | |
If you’re the owner of a boat or lawnmower, you’ll want to go ethanol-free, even if it will cost you a bit more rather than choosing an ethanol blend. Consumers are often unaware of the effects on the power equipment & tools from the power source they choose. There are a number of tools where you will want this fuel, like trimmers. It’s also more sustainable!
Pros
Why do some petrol stations proudly display their possession of ethanol-free or pure gasoline? Here are some reasons why:
- great mileage
- Energy independence
- Not as bad for the environment
- Better for the engine
1. Improved mileage
Even though ethanol burns more cleanly into the air, it’s known to reduce the energy content of pure gasoline. By having a purer product, you can produce more kinetic energy and thus provide more mileage.
2. No dependency on production
Suppose you depend on gasoline mixed with ethanol. Naturally, you’re relying on the products used in the production process. That means plants like corn and soybean will be required in excess to meet fuel requirements all over the US.
But with non-ethanol, states will not have to rely as much on the production of crops. Moreover, any bad years or droughts will not affect the prices or availability.
3. Cutting down on harmful environmental impact
Even though it’s true that ethanol-gasoline burns cleaner than pure gas, the production of ethanol involves harmful effects on the environment. Corn production involves high amounts of fertilizer and herbicides.
Production is responsible for a lot of the nutrient and sediment pollution in the US. It turns out that producing ethanol from corn uses up 29% more energy than it can produce. So, it’s probably pure gas that is greener in the long run.
4. Saving on land
Cornfields for production automatically translate to the need for more land. If E10 and E15 mixtures are made mandatory, clearing forest lands could make up more room for cornfields. This would mean cutting down on flora and fauna and dispersing important wildlife. It would be rendered homeless.
5. Takes better care of your engine
Since ethanol is prone to moisture, it could end up rusting your engine earlier than you expected. It could also mean other harmful effects that you didn’t anticipate, especially if you’ve got an older car model.
Older models weren’t designed to accommodate ethanol mixed gasoline. That’s why it’s probably better for you to replace your engine with flex-fuel engines that can accommodate any kind. It can be biofuel or the pure type.
Cons
Although it’s rising in popularity, some drawbacks hold users from switching to ethanol-free fuel. Here are the top cons:
1. Greenhouse gases
Although it is less polluting to create ethanol-free gas, it burns harmfully. The emissions of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are damaging to the air.
They become entrapped in the atmosphere to create a poisonous greenhouse effect on Earth. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide do the same. That’s why many are sticking to E10 and E15 blends.
2. Dependency on oil from other nations
There’s no denying that pure oil means even more import from other nations in the Middle East. This and the limited resources we have left on Earth will be quickly depleted if we are not careful. Ethanol-free has a disadvantage in this area because of it.
3. Can’t be used in new higher compression engines
Newer engines focus on reducing stress on engines that require high octane levels. Mixed blends have a higher octane rating than pure fuel. This is why blends are better for newer car engines.
Is it good for your car?
We’ve seen if non-ethanol gas is better for the environment and the economy. We’ve also looked at what it does to your pocket, but is it good for your car?
The short answer is yes. It is compatible with your car’s engine and may even give better mileage. It can even take better care of your engine since it doesn’t have ethanol. Ethanol is prone to moisture, which may rust parts of your car with its use.
First up, why does one need a stabilizer? A stabilizer protects the fuel sitting in your engine for up to 24 months and keeps it as powerful as it was originally. It helps prevent the gumming of your engine from the inside while it sits in the tank for months. This is especially useful in cases like seasonal vehicles and classic cars that won’t be used except in the holiday season.
Now to the question of does it need a stabilizer? If you’re planning on storing it for up to six months, you won’t need any stabilizers. Without the ethanol, there’s little risk of moisture being attracted. You must store it correctly in an air-tight container and keep it well away from the grip of sudden temperature changes and heat sources. There should be no spark sources within at least 50 feet of the container. Remember to mix the oil and gas only two weeks before you plan to use it so that the fuel is at optimum capacity.
But if you plan to use your fuel after more than six months, add a stabilizer to keep it at par with new strength.
No, but many users in the US fill their small engines with Premium thinking it’s ethanol-free. 95% of all gas sold in the country contains ethanol in some amount. So, what is the difference with Premium? It contains additives that help detain detonation better than other fuels. For the best experience, you should check out the manufacturer’s recommendation for your car.
Pure ethanol is difficult to attain, but running your car on it is possible. Users have obtained 90% ethanol, and E85 is also commonly available. 100% is usually mainly available in laboratories. Even when available, it can be quite expensive.
Another major advantage of this pure product is that you can buy it in advance, and it lasts much longer than E10 and E15 blends. While E10 will only last a maximum of 3 months or 90 days, ethanol-free gas will last up to six months. It sometimes lasts a year. But keep in mind that this only goes if it is properly stored and sealed to preserve it. If stored incorrectly or left open, it can easily oxidize or evaporate.
Are there any brands that are better or worse?
It was easy to identify the bigger names in the fuel industry about two decades ago. Still, today there are numerous names in the business.
Gasoline is a blend of so many different components and substances. Each brand will have its mixture of ingredients and signatures. The fuel system cleaning additives will also differ with each brand.
Some brands may perform great in your engine, while others perform poorly. Thus, there’s no way one can claim that any brand is better or worse than the next.
Did you know there’s even diesel with ethanol in it?
Here are some of the largest manufacturers in the world.
| Manufacturer | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| ExxonMobil | Irving, Texas, USA |
| Royal Dutch Shell | The Hague, Netherlands |
| BP | London, United Kingdom |
| Chevron Corporation | San Ramon, California, USA |
| ConocoPhillips | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Total S.A. | Courbevoie, France |
What are flex-fuel vehicles?
Flex-fuel vehicles have an internal combustion engine and can adapt to more than one fuel type. They can operate on ethanol-free and blends of fuels up to 83%.
The engine control module is the star player of these vehicles and adapts to the high ethanol content in the various fuel blends. As of 2018, there are more than 21 million flex-fuel vehicles in the United States.
You’d be surprised to know that most cars already have a flex-fuel engine factory installed. Still, car users often don’t realize they are choosing between options to choose from.
Check your manual to find out which engine you’re using so you can take advantage of several fuels if it’s FFV!
Here are pros and cons of flex-fuel vehicles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They can run on multiple fuel types, including E85 ethanol and gasoline. | Limited availability of E85 fuel stations. |
| Increased energy security as they can run on domestically produced fuel. | Their engines may require more maintenance compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. |
| Reduced emissions and lower carbon footprint when using ethanol. | They may not achieve the same fuel economy as a traditional gasoline vehicle. |
| There’s the potential for lower fuel costs when using cheaper alternative fuels. | Vehicles may be more expensive to purchase compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. |
Time needed: 2 minutes.
How to find out if your vehicle is flex-fuel?
- Look at the gas cap
A simple way to identify if your vehicle is flex-fuel is to look at the cap if the cap is yellow and has the stickers of fuels that can be used.
- Check the car manual.
You can also look at the car manual and check the engine type. Also, remember to read which fuel is recommended by the manufacturer for your car.
What are the different blends?
Currently, there are three types of blends available: E10, E15, and E85. E10 contains 10% while E15 contains 15%. E85 contains up to 85%, but most fuel in the US contains no more than 10%.
As per US laws, all gasoline vehicles may use E10. Only flex-fuel vehicles and certain vehicles manufactured in or after 2001 may use E15.
E85 will generally contain about 27% less energy than E10 blends. That translates to about 27 fewer miles per gallon. It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer mileage or clean content.
What is non-oxy?
Non-oxy or non-oxygenated gas is without ethanol and thus has minimal oxygen content. The benefit of this type is that you don’t have to worry about its storage in your engine for long periods.
The lack of ethanol automatically means nominal oxygen, resulting in no corrosion or rusting issues. It’s perfect for that yacht you’re done sailing on until the next holidays. Even though there’s no ethanol, there’s still some oxygen, hence the chances of gumming the engine’s insides.
That’s it, folks!
We hope you’ve learned a lot about the various types of fuel. After weighing all the pros and cons, we hope you make the right choice for your pocket and your car while keeping the environment in mind.
With flex-fuel vehicles, you can also switch between fuels whenever you like. You can do it depending on the prices of each type. In this manner, you’ll save money and dodge fluctuating market prices.
It’s also important to balance caring for your car and caring for the environment. Non-renewable resources are being depleted fast for our immediate needs. It’s up to us to correct human behavior so that future generations can also live a life of ease and comfort.
It’s up to you to choose the right type for your car that helps do this. Or better yet, take your cycle or catch up on those steps! Every little step counts! Also, did you know that gas prices vary over the seasons because of the way it’s mixed?
| Fuel Type | Carbon Footprint (per gallon) | Air Pollution | Water Pollution | Land Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol Gasoline (E10) | Lower | Lower | Higher | Higher |
| Non-Ethanol Gasoline (Premium) | Higher | Higher | Lower | Lower |
