Exhibit 23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-63525) of Ethyl Corporation of our report dated June 8, 2001 relating to the financial statements of the Savings Plan for the Employees of Ethyl Corporation, which appears in this Form 11-K. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Richmond, Virginia June 26, 2001