corn ethanol

Corn ethanol is ethanol fuel made from maize—big in the US—and it behaves the same as the ethanol in Australia’s E10 blends (often sugarcane‑sourced here). In petrol like E10 you’re looking at up to 10% ethanol; E85 is up to 85% and needs a proper flex‑fuel vehicle. Pros: higher octane, potential cuts to tailpipe CO and a bit less fossil petrol in the mix. Cons: lower energy density means roughly 3–5% higher fuel consumption on E10 (more with E85), and lifecycle CO2 gains depend on farming and processing. Most modern cars (roughly post‑2000) tolerate E10 fine, but older fuel systems may sulk—seals and rubber don’t love high ethanol—and E85 is a no-go unless the car says so. In short: use what your owner’s manual approves, not what your mate’s cousin swears by at the servo.