- Ethanol in Ontario’s Gasoline
- What is ethanol?
- How is ethanol good for the environment and for my health?
- Will my vehicle run on ethanol?
- More Information and Resources
Ethanol in Ontario’s Gasoline
Beginning January 2007, gasoline sold in Ontario contains an annual average of five per cent ethanol.
Ethanol-blended gasoline has been widely distributed across the province for over 10 years and accounted for approximately two per cent of the provincial gasoline pool in 2004.
What is ethanol?
Ethanol is an alcohol produced by fermenting sugar or converted
starch, usually from grains such as corn or wheat. It can also
be made from cellulosic materials such as forestry waste (e.g.,
wood waste) and agricultural crop residues, or it can be derived
chemically from ethylene or ethane. Ethanol is typically blended
with gasoline.
How is ethanol good for the environment and for my health?
Ethanol-blended fuel reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter and toxics like benzene (a known human carcinogen).
Blending gasoline with five per cent ethanol also reduces our use and dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels.
Ethanol is made from renewable feedstocks, such as grains and wood products – which means that the production of ethanol is more sustainable. Producing, refining and using a litre of ethanol-blended gasoline emits fewer greenhouse gases than a litre of ordinary gasoline.
Will my vehicle run on ethanol?
The vast majority of vehicles and equipment powered by gasoline engines are compatible with ethanol blends of up to 10 per cent (E10).
However, some older vehicles (pre-1980) and equipment may require additional maintenance or modification before you fill them with ethanol-blended gasoline.
Please check your owners’ manuals about the use of ethanol-blended gasoline with your vehicle or equipment.
Information and Resources
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Last modified: May 05 2009.