Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) (EtOH)

Ethanol is also know as grain alcohol (pure grain alcohol (PGA), grain neutral spirits (GNS), rectified spirit, rectified alcohol, medical grade ethanol, ethyl anhydrous alcohol) is non-toxic and can double for medicinal uses. Alcoholic drinks contain ethanol; e.g. moonshine, over-proof rum [75% ethanol].
  Lab grade ethanol may have benzene or other chemicals mixed in with it.

Ethanol is created by fermentation, a natural microbiological process where sugars are converted to alcohol by yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae - a type of fungi).

Ethanol has widespread use as a solvent of substances intended for human contact or consumption, including scents, flavorings, colorings, and medicines. In chemistry, it is both an essential solvent and a feedstock for the synthesis of other products. It has a long history as a fuel for heat and light, and more recently as a fuel for internal combustion engines.
Source: Ethanol - Wikipedia

Ethanol for car and truck engines:
Ethanol is currently the most common fuel oxygenate.
Fuel oxygenates are chemicals containing oxygen that are added to fuels, especially gasoline, to make them burn more efficiently.
Added to gasoline, ethanol reduces volatile organic compound and hydrocarbon emissions, carcinogenic benzene and butadiene emissions, and particulate matter emissions.

Links:
American Coalition for Ethanol (ethanol.org)
drivingethanol.org - Benefits of ethanol. Learn about where you can find ethanol, how it's made, its positive impact ...
Ethanol - Wikipedia
Hydrocarbons