Question

What are the benefits of mixing ethanol with petrol and diesel?

Hint:

Ethanol blends (E10, E20, etc.) give environmental and energy-security benefits but must match vehicle compatibility and fuel-system materials for best performance.

Answer 1

Mixing ethanol with petrol reduces carbon dioxide and other pollutant emissions from vehicles, leading to cleaner air and lower contribution to greenhouse warming. Ethanol acts as an oxygenate and improves combustion quality, which can lower particulate and carbon-monoxide emissions and help keep fuel systems and injectors cleaner over long-term use. Blending ethanol increases the overall renewable-fuel fraction of the transport fuel mix, reducing dependence on crude oil and improving energy security while supporting agricultural value chains in rural areas that supply ethanol feedstock. Ethanol also has a higher octane rating than petrol, which can raise the blended fuel's octane number and reduce engine knocking, potentially allowing improved engine efficiency in compatible engines.