Industrial corn production, for ethanol or anything else, is extremely oil dependent. Unless tractors and combines are running on happy thoughts these days instead of diesel. Corn based ethanol is simply oil in another form. It's a scam. It's not combating anything. Other than diverting corn from the food supply and driving inflation.

Others use petroleum for distillation.

factor in the fuel/energy needed to plant, grow, harvest, distill, blend and deliver gasahol, you are using more energy than it ultimately produces when burned.

Particularly when you add in nat. gas used to produce urea, the nitrogen source in most fertilizers. But even if it is net energy positive, HOW net energy positive? 5%? 15%? It would have to be substantial to move gasoline markets. And even if it did, it does nothing for diesel markets, driving up the transport costs of nearly everything we need and buy. Our entire food system is really just alchemy, turning crude oil into food.

the alcohol is a corrosive that eats away softer metals found in carburetors, engine castings and tends to attract the water in fuel that settle out in the bottom of your gas tanks.

My ck engine light comes on after several fill up requiring me to use dry gas in my 2021 Chevy Truck. I'm presently replacing a fuel tank in an older vehicle which had a noticeable spot where its seeping in the bottom of the tank. I drain my snow blower and other items when they are not used. I have to drive 20 miles to the next county where non alcohol is sold.

My lazy neighbor bought two snowblowers which became law ornaments, they wouldn't start . I asked them if he drain the fuel and it never crossed his mind to do so. Most stuff sold does not have a drain, so you have to buy one of those cheap suction pumps to remove the fuel.

15% alcohol is a bit much.

I.e. "Flex Fuel Vehicles". I remember a bunch of years ago when my agency's office had some (sedans that I think were a Ford Taurus model and later some Escapes), but there was just one gas station near the office that sold "E85" gas.



But yeah, that seemed to fall out of favor due to the maintenance issues and station availability.