Gasoline is less expensive than using ethanol, and retrofitting a vehicle with an ethanol system can be quite expensive. Using ethanol as a form of fuel may not be cost effective, because drivers can't just use ethanol in a regular engine. Most regular engines are unable to handle ethanol, as the fuel burns much hotter than gasoline. If drivers try and use ethanol in a regular engine, it can cause significant damage to the engine and vehicle. Gasoline is also more efficient then ethanol, as more ethanol is needed to produce the same performance results as gasoline. This requires drivers to purchase more ethanol and spend more at the pump.
While the oil produced to make gasoline is very environmentally friendly, it does come in direct conflict with food production. If ethanol becomes more widely used around the world, the production of ethanol may have a direct effect on the production of corn in developing countries. While drilling for oil is not environmentally friendly, it is not in direct conflict with the production of food. In many countries, only so much land is available for farm production, and using ethanol as a primary source of fuel may be a disadvantage.
Gasoline is much more available in gas stations around the country, and some drivers who have a retro-fitted ethanol system may have a difficult finding this alternative fuel source. Gasoline is a much more viable fuel source for long trips, and ethanol may be difficult to find along the coasts. As ethanol is available in limited supply, only so many gas stations in an area will have this fuel.
