Katerina Swanson
Flex-fuel vehicles, which run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol, have become increasingly popular in recent years. While ethanol is cheaper than regular gasoline, it contains less energy per volume, resulting in lower fuel economy and reduced mileage for flex-fuel cars. However, the savings from using ethanol can offset the loss in mileage, and flex-fuel vehicles can also benefit from improved acceleration performance when using higher ethanol blends.
Do flex-fuel cars get less mileage?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost per gallon | Flex-fuel is typically cheaper than regular gas. |
| Mileage | Flex-fuel vehicles get less mileage per gallon than gasoline-powered vehicles. |
| Mileage loss offset | The lower price per gallon for flex-fuel often offsets the mileage loss. |
| Engine damage | Using diesel or regular leaded gasoline to refill a flex-fuel engine can damage the vehicle. |
| Engine optimisation | Engines are optimised for gasoline, so increased levels of ethanol result in lower mileage. |
| Engine performance | Flex-fuel vehicles may experience improved acceleration performance when operating on higher ethanol blends. |
| Fuel availability | Flex-fuel is available at more than 2,800 gas stations in the US. |
| Fuel tracking | Mileage per tank and gallons added for that tank can be tracked using apps such as Fuelly. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ethanol is cheaper than gasoline, offsetting mileage loss
- E85 flex fuel is available at 4,500 US gas stations
- FFVs have improved acceleration performance with higher ethanol blends
- Flex-fuel vehicles don't experience performance loss with E85 fuel
- Ethanol production has potential consequences for crop prices
Ethanol is cheaper than gasoline, offsetting mileage loss
While flex-fuel vehicles may experience a slight mileage loss when using ethanol, the fact that ethanol is often cheaper than gasoline can more than offset this disadvantage. Ethanol is usually less expensive than petroleum-based gasoline, and consumers who drive flex-fuel cars also receive tax credits that can significantly reduce their tax burden.
It's worth noting that the price advantage of ethanol is primarily by volume, as it contains about 30% less energy than gasoline. This means that while ethanol may be cheaper per gallon, you will need more of it to achieve the same energy output as gasoline. In reality, when adjusted for energy content, ethanol is rarely cheaper than gasoline, typically only around 5% of the time.
The debate around ethanol usage is multifaceted. Some argue that it leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions, while others claim that it improves energy security. Additionally, the diversion of crops to energy production can impact food prices. Despite these considerations, ethanol is increasingly being viewed as an environmentally friendly and economical fuel source. More ethanol refining plants are opening, and the Biden Administration and the EPA have recently mandated a larger amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline to increase domestic fuel supplies and lower prices.
To determine the most cost-effective fuel option, it is essential to calculate the fuel economy for each type of fuel. This can be done by tracking the mileage per tank and gallons added, then dividing the miles by gallons to get the miles per gallon (mpg) for each fuel type. By comparing the total cost over a set number of miles, you can make an informed decision about which fuel option is the most economical for your vehicle.
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E85 flex fuel is available at 4,500 US gas stations
E85 flex fuel is a renewable and domestically produced alternative fuel that is gasoline blended with ethanol. Ethanol is made from plant materials, including corn. While E85 flex fuel is not available at every filling station, it is available at around 4,500 gas stations across the US, mostly in corn-producing Eastern and Midwestern states, such as Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska. California also has a high number of E85 pumps, where wide availability and cheaper prices compared to gasoline have made it a popular choice.
The number of gas stations offering E85 is increasing as ethanol production has significantly increased over the past decade, particularly in regions with large agricultural industries. The benefits of flex-fuel vehicles include tax credits for consumers, and the fact that ethanol costs less than regular gasoline, which can offset the mileage loss.
However, flex fuel is not as economical as gasoline, which means gas stations are less likely to carry it. Only a small percentage of gas stations nationwide supply ethanol, but this is likely to change as more consumers purchase flex-fuel vehicles.
To find E85 gas stations near you, there are several online tools and apps available. The US Department of Energy's Alternative Fuel Station Locator is one of the most comprehensive and reliable resources for finding E85 stations, allowing you to search by ZIP code, city, or state. GasBuddy is another widely used app that helps drivers find the best gas prices and locate stations offering E85.
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FFVs have improved acceleration performance with higher ethanol blends
Although flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) generally experience lower fuel economy with increased levels of ethanol, many FFVs exhibit improved acceleration performance when operating on higher ethanol blends. This improved acceleration performance is due to the higher engine-out and catalyst temperatures that result from the different engine operating conditions prescribed when higher ethanol content in the fuel is sensed. This temperature increase improves the NOx conversion efficiency of the exhaust after-treatment system.
Ford researchers have conducted a detailed study on the effect of different ethanol blend levels on emissions from FFVs. The study found that there is a pronounced minimum of THC and NMOG emissions for mid-level blends, reflecting the combined impact of fuel chemistry and engine calibration effects. The fuel chemistry effect is fundamental, and all FFVs will exhibit the same qualitative emissions trend of increased ethanol, acetaldehyde, and CH4 emissions and decreased NMHC emissions with increased ethanol content.
Higher ethanol content in gasoline can impact several fundamental fuel properties, including increased oxygen content and decreased volumetric energy content, typically measured as net heating value (NHV). These changes can have positive or negative effects depending on engine design, hardware, and control strategy. For example, higher ethanol content fuel can provide more efficient combustion and overall engine operation under part-load and knock-limited higher-load conditions.
The use of higher ethanol blends in FFVs can also have environmental benefits. E85, a blend of 15-85% ethanol, has been found to emit less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) from the tailpipe than gasoline. This can be advantageous for controlling ozone air quality in NOx-restricted communities. However, it is important to note that the life cycle NOx emissions of E85 are higher due to increased NOx emissions during fuel production.
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Flex-fuel vehicles don't experience performance loss with E85 fuel
Flex-fuel vehicles are those that have internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. They can burn whatever proportion of fuel mixture is in the combustion chamber. The car is equipped with electronic sensors that gauge the blend, and its microprocessors adjust the fuel injection and timing.
While some might argue that using an alternative fuel source can negatively impact a vehicle's performance, in reality, the opposite is true. Flex-fuel vehicles don't experience a loss in performance when using E85 fuel. In fact, some even generate increased torque and horsepower.
E85 fuel has the added benefit of cleaning your vehicle's exhaust system, fuel lines, and engine. This cleaning effect can help your engine run cooler and reduce maintenance costs.
However, it is important to note that using E85 in vehicles manufactured before 1994 may pose risks. Federal mandates for ethanol compatibility have made this a non-issue in vehicles made after 1994. Ethanol, similar to gasoline, should not be left in the fuel tank indefinitely as it can attract water vapour and potentially cause corrosion.
While ethanol does raise a vehicle's octane level, it contains less energy. In other words, it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels, resulting in fewer miles per gallon. However, ethanol costs less than regular gasoline, so the savings should more than offset the mileage loss.
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Ethanol production has potential consequences for crop prices
While flex-fuel vehicles offer certain benefits, such as tax credits and a more environmentally friendly fuel source, there are questions about the impact of ethanol production on crop prices.
Ethanol production has been linked to higher corn prices, which can have a knock-on effect on food prices. The increase in corn prices due to ethanol production is evident when examining historical data. For example, the sharp increase in corn prices in 2006 coincided with a significant rise in ethanol production during the same period. This was influenced by the rapid construction of corn ethanol plants, leading to increased projections of future corn demand and, consequently, higher corn prices.
The impact of ethanol production on corn prices has been the subject of various studies. These studies employ different models and assumptions, making the results somewhat contradictory. However, a review of literature and studies on U.S. corn ethanol production between 2008 and 2013 revealed that each billion-gallon expansion in ethanol production resulted in a 2-3% increase in corn prices, on average. This increase in corn prices can contribute to higher food prices, with some studies suggesting that biofuel expansion could negatively impact food security in developing countries.
The relationship between ethanol production and corn prices is complex and influenced by various factors. For instance, the impact of ethanol subsidies on corn prices has been studied, with findings suggesting that ethanol subsidies have contributed to higher corn and food prices since 2005, although the impact has been relatively small. Additionally, other factors, such as corn yields, planted acreage, and global weather conditions, can also affect corn prices and should be considered when examining the impact of ethanol production.
In conclusion, while flex-fuel vehicles may offer certain advantages, the potential consequences of ethanol production on crop prices, particularly corn prices, are important to consider. The increase in demand for corn due to ethanol production can lead to higher corn prices, which can have knock-on effects on food prices and food security, especially in developing nations. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of ethanol production on crop prices requires considering multiple factors and conducting further research and analysis.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, flex-fuel cars get less mileage per gallon of fuel. This is because ethanol contains less energy per volume. However, ethanol is typically cheaper than regular gasoline, which helps to offset the worse fuel mileage.
The mileage loss varies, but it can be as high as 25-27% less than a car running on gasoline.
You can calculate the mileage of your flex-fuel car by dividing the distance driven by the amount of fuel used (in gallons).
The main ingredient in processing ethanol is corn, a sustainable crop grown in the United States.
Yes, flex-fuel vehicles have improved acceleration performance when operating on higher ethanol blends. They also burn cleaner than pure gasoline, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
