What is the difference between ethanol gasoline and regular gasoline?
2 Answers
Ethanol gasoline and regular gasoline differ in the following aspects: 1. Different characteristics: Ethanol gasoline uses fuel ethanol as a gasoline additive, which is environmentally friendly, clean, and renewable; regular gasoline uses chemical agents such as MTBE as raw materials for gasoline additives, which causes significant environmental pollution. Many countries have successively banned the use of MTBE and other additives. 2. Different evaporation potential: Ethanol has a greater evaporation potential, approximately twice that of regular gasoline; regular gasoline has a smaller evaporation potential. 3. Different advantages: Ethanol gasoline has a lower heat value compared to regular gasoline, with only 61% of the heat value of regular gasoline, requiring more fuel to travel the same distance; regular gasoline has good adaptability, smooth and gentle operation, is convenient and labor-saving to use, is lightweight, and produces less noise.
I've been driving for many years and feel that the biggest difference between ethanol gasoline and regular gasoline lies in their composition. Regular gasoline is a fuel purely refined from petroleum, while ethanol gasoline contains 10% to 85% ethanol, which is essentially alcohol. Ethanol is derived from crops like corn or sugarcane, making it more environmentally friendly by reducing exhaust emissions and greenhouse gases. However, the drawbacks are quite obvious: ethanol has a lower energy density, leading to increased fuel consumption over time, meaning the same tank of gas might take you fewer kilometers. Additionally, ethanol tends to absorb moisture, posing a risk of corrosion to rubber hoses in older vehicles with prolonged use, and potentially causing engine issues. I recommend checking your vehicle's manual first to see if it's compatible before switching. Many gas stations now promote ethanol gasoline because it's slightly cheaper, but the savings might be offset by repair costs. Developing a habit of regular maintenance, such as checking spark plugs and the ignition system, can help prevent problems—after all, safe driving is the top priority.
