Can biofuels be used safely in my car or pickup?
A. Yes. Ethanol has been used in the US motor fuel market for decades, and is currently blended at E-10 levels (10 percent ethanol; 90 percent petroleum gas) into about 30 percent of the gasoline in the United States. In some market areas, including Portland, ethanol has been used for years in nearly all gasoline during winter months. It enhances octane, lowers air emissions, and is used to replace MTBE (which has been shown to be a groundwater contaminant). Some cars (flex-fuel) can burn up to 85 percent ethanol with 15 percent gasoline blends. These cars have yellow gas caps. Older vehicles (built before 1990), some aircraft, and some two-cycle engines may require cleaning of filters or replacing of rubber hoses or gaskets when burning ethanol. Important consumer notice on ethanol Beginning in early 2008 and continuing through the summer, a new ethanol blend standard established by the 2007 Legislature will go into effect, requiring all gasoline sold throughout Oregon to include a 10
