Ethanol is the renewable fuel made by fermenting sugars from crops such as sugarcane or corn.
Microorganisms convert plant sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide during fermentation. Producers then distill and dehydrate the liquid so it can be blended with gasoline or used in suitable engines. Sugarcane is a major feedstock in Brazil, while corn is the leading feedstock in the United States.
Fuel ethanol is different from biodiesel, which is generally made by chemically processing oils or fats. It is also different from biogas, a gaseous fuel mixture produced when organic matter breaks down without oxygen. Ethanol can reduce reliance on petroleum, but its environmental benefits depend on farming practices, processing energy, transport, and the full lifecycle of the fuel.