It is becoming well known that corn is not the best for making ethanol which makes up 85% of E-85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). Just about every plant imaginable has been tested and the one that stands out as the best overall is switch grass. 

Switch grass is native to this country. There are many different types and it will grow in just about any place in the continental US. Switch grass yields 5 times more energy then needed for growing, harvesting and processing (1:5). This is much better considering that corn requires at best the same amount of energy to grow, harvest and process then it yields (1:1). 

	Fields of Switch Grass

Corn ethanol processing requires a fuel source, generally natural gas. Switch grass biomass left over after the processing can be burned cleanly as fuel for the processing.

Corn must be grown on class one farm land, switch grass can be grown on marginal highly erodible lands and require far less water. It is a hardier crop that will stand up to much more then corn. One of the strongest arguments against corn ethanol is that we eat corn, we don't eat switch grass so their is no impact on the food supply.

Don't believe me, look for yourself. Below are links to information regarding cellulosic ethanol from switch grass.