Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) in alkaline medium using nano-scaled palladium-based bimetallic catalysts (PdM, where M = Ni and Sn) supported on sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SF-MWCNTs) is compared. The bimetallic mixture (i.e., SF-MWCNT-PdSmix and SF-MWCNT-PdNimix) showed better electrocatalysis towards EG oxidation than the SF-MWCNT-Pd. At the SF-MWCNT-PdSnmix platform, oxidation of EG occurred at lower onset and peak potentials, higher current density, and faster kinetics (lower impedance) than at the SF-MWCNT-PdNimix platform. EG oxidation at the SF-MWCNT-PdNimix is more stable than at the SF-MWCNT-PdSnmix. Indeed, Sn is a more favoured co-catalyst with Pd in EG electro-oxidation. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.