Why is No Ethanol Added to 95 Octane Gasoline?
2 Answers
"The cost of ethanol-blended gasoline continues to rise, and gas stations are facing increasing sales pressure, so 95 octane gasoline has temporarily stopped adding ethanol. Compared with traditional gasoline, the biggest advantage of ethanol-blended gasoline is that it can effectively reduce the emission of pollutants in vehicle exhaust. However, the selling price of ethanol is not much different from that of ordinary gasoline, but with the recent rise in the price of raw materials such as corn, the cost of ethanol has increased. Precautions for using ethanol-blended gasoline: Ethanol is a hydrophilic liquid and easily dissolves in water, unlike gasoline, which can separate from water, with water settling at the bottom of the fuel tank. Therefore, when using ethanol-blended gasoline for the first time, the fuel tank should be checked to see if the water content exceeds the standard and affects the engine's operation. When first using ethanol-blended gasoline, carefully observe and adjust the engine to see if there are any significant abnormalities; for long-term use, consider whether the rubber and organic components in the fuel supply system are resistant to alcohol corrosion. Advantages and disadvantages of ethanol-blended gasoline: Advantages: Energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and low-cost; ethanol-blended gasoline is a mixture of ordinary gasoline and 10% fuel ethanol. It is a renewable resource processed from grains and various plant fibers. Using ethanol-blended gasoline can not only diversify the energy structure and ensure energy security but also replace some petroleum, reducing dependence on foreign oil. In addition, it has a cleaning effect, removing carbon deposits from the engine. Exhaust emissions are relatively lower, which can help improve air pollution to some extent. Disadvantages: Ethanol burns slower than gasoline, which can lead to reduced vehicle power, poor acceleration performance, and increased fuel consumption. Secondly, ethanol is easily soluble in water. When the water content in ethanol-blended gasoline exceeds the standard, phase separation is likely to occur, and long-term parking of the vehicle can cause fuel stratification, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Moreover, due to the high oxygen content in ethanol-blended gasoline, prolonged use can corrode the exhaust pipe."
I've always felt that many people misunderstand the relationship between gasoline octane ratings and ethanol. In fact, 95-octane gasoline can also contain ethanol, and some gas stations in China label it as E95 ethanol gasoline. Regular gasoline without ethanol is unleaded gasoline, with its main components still being petroleum derivatives. As for why some gas stations only offer regular 95-octane, it depends on local policies. In provinces like Jilin that promote ethanol gasoline, even 98-octane contains ethanol. When refueling, I pay special attention to the labels on the fuel nozzles - those with an 'E' indicate ethanol gasoline, whether it's 92 or 95, potentially containing 10% ethanol.
