Methanol, another alcohol-based fuel, is usually produced from natural gas, but it can also be produced from biomass. Therefore, it has the potential to help reduce petroleum imports.
Methanol-powered vehicles emit smaller amounts of air pollutants, such as hydro- carbons, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, than do similar gasoline-fueled vehicles. Some buses and fleet vehicles currently run on M85, which contains 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline.