How is biodiesel different than ethanol?
Both biodiesel and ethanol are biofuels, but biodiesel may only be used in diesel-running engines, while ethanol can be used in most gasoline burning engines. While both biodiesel and ethanol are made from renewable resources, biodiesel is made from vegetable oils from soybeans, sunflowers and the canola plant while ethanol is made in one of two ways: corn-based ethanol is made from corn crops, while cellulosic ethanol is produced from materials like switch grass or wheat straw. How many cars use ethanol? According to Grist.org, approximately four million cars currently on the road in the United States are already compatible with E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, with more being created every year. Also, gasoline-powered cars can run on a 10 percent ethanol/90 percent gasoline blend. The state of Minnesota, in fact, requires that all gasoline sold there is of that balance. Most auto manufacturers only guarantee their warranty services on regular/non-flex-fuel
