Did you know that the first automobiles operated on alcohol? They used ethyl alcohol, known as ethanol. Crude versions of today's gasoline also existed and were in use, but this emergent fuel was dirty and dangerous. Most important to the drivers, it was not available away from big cities. Henry Ford insisted alcohol was the obvious choice for motor fuel as it was clean and simple to produce.          Ford also liked the idea that farmers everywhere should benefit from the production of this pure motor fuel. It made sense because most people, his future customers, lived in rural communities at that time. (As most boys of the time, Ford was raised on a farm.) Ford's view on alcohol fuel was the choice of many until John Rockefeller funded a movement to ban the use of all alcohol under the Volstead Act in 1919.        So what happened? Why don't cars use alcohol today? They do. If you are an American you may not realize that many vehicles manufactured during the last few years are "flex fuel" capable. Some counties have been working to free themselves from foreign oil using this "flex fuel" concept. They have been taking active steps to become self-sufficient and greatly reduce their dependence on foreign oil. It's true that the U.S. has an energy program emphasizing the use of "alternative" fuels such as alcohol. However, look  at the real "action" that is taking place. Very little in the U.S. but look at Brazil. Up to 75% of their vehicles are running on alcohol. Look at Sweden. They will be rid of dependence on foreign oil very soon. They have "active" programs to achieve their goals. The U.S. is well aware of the importance of bio fuels and many or most of the government fleets (federal, state, county) have ethanol pumps for their vehicles. Tests have shown that many vehicles can easily take a mix of 40% alcohol and 60%gas, without any conversions. But of the 175,000 public fuel stations in the U.S., only a small handful offer ethanol (E-85), i.e., 85% ethanol. Why is this? They're working on it, right?        It does not take very much research to discover that the American public has been deceived, mislead, and misinformed in regard to the energy capabilities of their homeland. The greatness of American is not to be doubted. A diversity of minds and freedom to develop ideas has produced great achievements. However, the world is a big place; many others are producing great achievements. The U.S. can look to them as examples.      Learn much more on this subject !!