The research of direct ethanol fuel cell has attracted widespread attention. However, due to the complexity of ethanol reaction mechanism, the efficiency of ethanol direct fuel cell is very low at the present stage. Currently, the improvement of catalytic efficiency of ethanol is mainly focused on the selection and use of catalysts and the improvement of the permeation membrane. Based on the information of these reports and our group’s study of Pt-based nanowires, a review has been made of the status quo, existing problems and future prospects of the ethanol direct fuel cell.