U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #264: April 21, 2003
Production of Ethanol and MTBE

In 2002, the United States produced more than 3 billion gallons of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and more than 2 billion gallons of ethanol. Ethanol production has grown since 1996; additional growth in ethanol production is expected because 17 states are banning or greatly reducing the amount of MTBE in gasoline.

U.S. Production of Ethanol and MTBE, 1992–2002
Graph: U.S. Production of Ethanol and MTBE, 1993-2002

Supporting Information

Production of Ethanol and MTBE, 1992–2002
(million gallons)
Year Fuel Ethanol MTBE
1992 1,080 1,542
1993 1,156 2,081
1994 1,280 2,205
1995 1,355 2,506
1996    974 2,846
1997 1,274 3,011
1998 1,387 3,151
1999 1,472 3,315
2000 1,633 3,253
2001 1,765 3,257
2002 2,132 3,133

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly, Washington, D.C., January 2003 and historical editions.

 

Return to 2003 Facts of the Week