Ethanol can be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines. However, being a first generation biofuel, it does use source plants that can also be used as a food (or food supplement); in specific sugercane, sugar beets, potatoes, ...
Another issue is that ethanol is a stronger solvent than regular diesel (petrodieselW) - so much so that it will not only "clean out" the fuel tank, sending debris into the fuel filter, but it will also soften and dissolve many rubber and plastic products, including those used in fuel lines, filters and pumps. This deterioration can take years, however, and the replacement of rubber components does not have to happen immediately. Thus for long life, a different grade of components is needed in an engine that uses petrodiesel.
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