Manufacturers utilize increasingly sophisticated technology to convert the starch to sugar. This sugar is then fed to yeast which converts the sugar to ethanol. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Testing Ohio has conducted formal testing for three years to evaluate ethanol's role as an alternative fuel for the future. Performance in hot and cold weather conditions and ethanol's ability to reduce polluting emissions have been evaluated.
Testing continues on performance, reliability, cost of operations and emissions.
To date, the cars have received high marks for driveability and general operation in user surveys. Emissions testing on the E-85 vehicles and a control vehicle operating on gasoline are being conducted at various mileage levels, up to 100,000 miles. Testing shows the E-85 cars performing well, with significant reductions in emissions compared to use of unleaded gasoline. Reductions in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, two particularly troublesome pollutants, are reduced significantly. Ethanol is one of only two liquid fuels available that combats global warming because its raw material, corn, converts carbon dioxide into oxygen.