Primary investigation to leveraging effect of using ethanol fuel on reducing gasoline fuel consumption

► Gasoline fuel could be leveraged by ethanol fuel using ethanol direct injection plus gasoline port injection (EDI + GPI). ► Brake mean effective pressure and volumetric efficiency increased with the increase of ethanol/gasoline energy percentage. ► The NO emission was decreased by enhanced charge cooling effect and reduced in-cylinder peak temperature in EDI + GPI. ► CO and HC emissions increased with the increase of ethanol/gasoline energy percentage.