What are the differences between ethanol gasoline and methanol gasoline?
2 Answers
Ethanol gasoline and methanol gasoline differ in price, composition, and fuel consumption. Price difference: Methanol gasoline is cheaper, while ethanol gasoline has a higher production cost compared to methanol gasoline. Composition difference: Methanol gasoline is made by blending industrial methanol or fuel methanol with denatured alcohol additives and existing national standard gasoline in a certain volume ratio. It offers advantages such as good substitutability, strong power, and less pollution. Ethanol gasoline is a blend of 90% regular gasoline and 10% fuel ethanol, which is a renewable energy source produced through fermentation of crops like sorghum, corn, and potatoes. It does not affect vehicle performance and reduces harmful gas emissions. Fuel consumption difference: Methanol gasoline has lower fuel consumption. Ethanol gasoline provides less power than regular gasoline but also consumes less fuel.
I've been in the auto industry for over a decade, and this is one of the most common questions from car owners. Ethanol gasoline is mainly made from fermented crops like corn and wheat, blended into regular gasoline at a typical ratio of 10%. It feels slightly less powerful when driving, but produces less carbon buildup and cleaner exhaust. Methanol gasoline, on the other hand, is more intense—it's directly derived from coal or natural gas and can be blended at ratios ranging from 15% to 85%. This stuff is highly corrosive; the rubber components in a standard car's fuel system can't handle it—older cars will start leaking after a few fills. Plus, methanol itself is toxic—that pungent smell at the pump is from it. If you're driving a regular family car, sticking with ethanol gasoline is the safest bet. Only modified car enthusiasts dare to mess with methanol.
