Promise and Cost of Cellulosic Ethanol for the U.S. Light-Duty Fleet

Ethanol from biomass (trees and grasses) can provide a significant proportion of the fuel for the light duty fleet, alleviating concerns about volatile prices, energy dependence, and global warming. We examine the costs and quantity of ethanol that can be produced from corn and biomass, as well as infrastructure issues associated with transporting and retailing ethanol for blending in gasoline. Large, but feasible, amounts of land and investment are required. Large-scale production is unlikely to occur until biomass ethanol becomes cheaper than gasoline or is mandated by regulation of gasoline fuel economy or carbon dioxide emissions.