How can cellulosic or second-generation ethanol be used as a biofuel?
Ethanol fuel is a renewable, non-toxic, water-soluble, highly biodegradable biofuel that has a high octane index and produces cleaner and more complete combustion than gasoline or diesel fuel. Ethanol is blended with gasoline. Most gasoline vehicles can operate using a gasoline blend, including up to 10% ethanol or more, as is the case in Brazil, which is a major producer and consumer of ethanol. A 5% ethanol blend is currently available in some service stations across Canada. This blend contains traditional (grain) ethanol, since new cellulosic ethanol is not yet mass-produced. Some vehicles available now are designed to be fuelled with gasoline that contains up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline (E-85 flex fuel).
