Ethanol 101: What is Ethanol?

Ethanol is a clean-burning, renewable fuel. It is a fuel-grade alcohol and has traditionally been made by fermenting corn, wheat, or sugar cane. Ethanol can also be made using biomass, including agricultural residues such as wheat straw and corn stover, wood and municipal solid waste, and dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass. This is called cellulose ethanol.

Ethanol is typically blended with gasoline at 10% and can be used in gasoline engines without any modification at that level. There are also many new 'flex-fuel' vehicles on the road today, which can run on blends up to 85% ethanol, or E85.

A 5% renewable fuel standard (RFS) in Canada will result in benefits for our environment and economy. Please read the fact sheets and FAQs here to learn more.