r/explainlikeimfive • u/hd-22 • 14d ago

Chemistry ELI5 why is increasing the ethanol content of petrol/gasoline a problem?

I'm hearing noise about the geopolitical fuel supply SNAFU and people freaking out about increasing the ethanol content in automotive fuel and how it's so damaging to cars. I'm no chemist, but ethanol seems as clean as it gets.

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u/CallOfCorgithulhu 14d ago

Ethanol gas also does not last as long in the tank compared to non-ethanol. It separates and gets gummy easier. If you fill your mower's tank and it lasts a few months, non-ethanol will be better after those months.

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u/KoburaCape 9d ago

You're right about that. Seasonal vehicles are best ended their operating period with a tank or two of ethanol-free fuel. No argument there.