Biological Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 1-10 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 4 1.3 Classification of ethanol fuel Ethanol fuel production and types are diverse, and ethanol fuels can be classified into various categories based on their ethanol content. In the United States, the most common ethanol fuel is E10, which is a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. E10 fuel holds a market share of over 90% in the United States, and most gas stations offer E10 fuel. In addition to E10, there are other types of ethanol fuels, such as E15 and E85. E15 refers to a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, and it currently has a lower market share in the United States. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), as of the end of 2019, E15 was only permitted for sale at selected gas stations in a few states, with a market share of less than 1%. Among them, the largest sales market was in Minnesota, where over 360 gas stations sell E15 fuel. E85, on the other hand, is a fuel blend composed of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, primarily used in some flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). These vehicles can use E85 while also being compatible with gasoline. According to data from the U.S. Grains Council for the 2019/2020 period, the total production of E15 fuel in the United States was only about 150 million gallons, while the total production of E85 fuel was approximately 1.38 billion gallons. Additionally, there are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can use various ethanol fuel blends, including E10, E15, E85, and more, making them adaptable to different ethanol fuel ratios. While this type of vehicle has gained some level of promotion in the United States, its market share remains relatively low. 2 Ethanol Fuel Application in the United States 2.1 Historical development of ethanol fuel in the United States In 1826, Samuel Morey conducted experiments with an internal combustion chemical mixture, using ethanol (combining turpentine with the surrounding air, then vaporizing it) as fuel. At that time, his discovery was largely overlooked, primarily due to the success of steam power. It wasn't until 1860 when Nicholas Otto began experimenting with internal combustion engines that ethanol fuel gained attention. In 1859, the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania provided a new fuel source decades later. Before the use of oil, a popular fuel mixture in the United States was a combination of alcohol and turpentine, known as "camphene," also referred to as "burning fluid." The discovery of oil and unfavorable taxation on burning fluid made kerosene a more favored fuel. In 1896, Henry Ford designed his first car, the "Quadricycle," which ran on pure ethanol. In 1908, the revolutionary Model T car (Figure 2) designed by Ford could run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of fuels. Even during the Prohibition era, Ford continued to advocate for ethanol fuel, but lower prices favored gasoline. Figure 2 Ford Model T (Photo by Bing) In the late 1970s, gasoline with ethanol content as high as 10% began a decades-long growth in the United States. The discovery of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) contaminating groundwater stimulated the demand for ethanol
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