It is produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. According to the National Propane Gas Association, U.S.A., spark plugs from a propane vehicle last from 80,000 to 100,000 miles and propane engines can last two to three times longer than gasoline or diesel engines. Ethanol is a safe replacement for toxic octane enhancers in gasoline such as benzene, toluene and xylene. ETBE lowers gasoline volatility and is, thus, particularly effective in reducing VOC emissions from automobiles. As engine fuels, ethanol and methanol have similar chemical and physical characteristics.
Methanol is methane with one hydrogen molecule replaced by a hydroxyl radical.
Methanol can be made with any renewable resource containing carbon such as seaweed, waste wood and garbage. This is a promising alternative, with a diversity of fuel applications with proven environmental, economic and consumer benefits. Here today to produce the oxygenate MTBE added to cleaner burning gasoline. Cars, trucks and buses running millions of miles on methanol have proven its use as a total replacement for gasoline and diesel fuels in conventional engines. Methanol offers the greatest hope for early and broad introduction of fuel cells that will make Electric Vehicles practical within the next few years.