Ethanol vs. Gasoline — What's the Difference?

Ethanol is derived from plants like corn and sugarcane.

Gasoline has a higher energy density.

Ethanol is a renewable energy source.

Gasoline is derived from refining crude oil.

Ethanol has a higher octane rating.

Gasoline is a petroleum-based fuel.

Ethanol can mix with gasoline to form blends like E85.

Gasoline can be mixed with ethanol to reduce emissions.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based biofuel.

Gasoline () or petrol () (see the etymology for naming differences and the use of the term gas) is a transparent, petroleum-derived flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives.

Ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic chemical compound. It is a simple alcohol with the chemical formula C2H6O. Its formula can be also written as CH3−CH2−OH or C2H5OH (an ethyl group linked to a hydroxyl group), and is often abbreviated as EtOH. Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a slight characteristic odor.

A volatile mixture of flammable liquid hydrocarbons derived chiefly from crude petroleum and used principally as a fuel for internal-combustion engines.

See alcohol.

A flammable liquid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, mainly used as a motor fuel; petrol.

(organic compound) A simple aliphatic alcohol formally derived from ethane by replacing one hydrogen atom with a hydroxyl group: CH₃-CH₂-OH.

(countable) Any specific kind of gasoline.

Specifically, this alcohol as a fuel.

Marijuana, especially very potent or high quality.

The organic compound C2H5.OH, the common alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in beer, wine, and other fermented and distilled liquors; called also ethyl alcohol. It is used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions, or mixed in gasoline as a fuel for automobiles, and as a rocket fuel (as in the V-2 rocket).

(slang) An alcoholic beverage made of vodka and energy drink.

The intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean-burning additive to gasoline

Made from or using gasoline.

A highly volatile mixture of fluid hydrocarbons, obtained mostly from petroleum, as also by the distillation of bituminous coal. It is used as a fuel for most automobiles and for many other vehicles with internal combustion engines. The gasoline of commerce is typically blended with additives to improve its performance in internal combustion engines. Gasoline was also used in the early 1900's in making air gas, and in giving illuminating power to water gas. See Carburetor.

A volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines

Gasoline is a non-renewable energy source.

Gasoline is a fossil fuel derived from crude oil.

Yes, ethanol is considered a renewable energy source.

No, gasoline is non-renewable.

Gasoline has a higher energy density than ethanol.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based biofuel made from plants.

Ethanol can potentially offer better engine performance due to its higher octane rating.

Yes, they can be mixed to create blends like E85.

Ethanol emits fewer greenhouse gases, while gasoline emits more harmful pollutants.

Gasoline is generally less corrosive than ethanol.

Ethanol is generally considered more environmentally friendly than gasoline.

Ethanol generally has a higher octane rating than gasoline.

Corn is the primary source of ethanol in the U.S.

Gasoline provides a longer driving range due to its higher energy density.

Ethanol can be corrosive to certain materials, unlike gasoline.

Crude oil is the primary source of gasoline.