Rajan Wilcox
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on gasoline, ethanol (blends up to E85), or a combination of the fuels in the same tank. E85 fuel is blended from about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. While E85 costs less per gallon than regular gasoline, FFVs that use the ethanol-gasoline blend have lower fuel economy ratings. In some cases, the difference in mileage is close to 25%. Additionally, if you go long periods without driving, E85 can cause problems and gum up the injectors.
Flex Fuel Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline |
| Cost | 57-60 cents less per gallon than regular gas |
| Mileage | 25% less mileage than gasoline |
| Availability | Not available at all filling stations |
| Vehicle Compatibility | Full-size pickups and cargo vans by Ford and General Motors |
| Fuel Cap | Yellow |
| Fuel Type | Burns cleaner than pure gasoline |
| Engine | Not compatible with traditional gas engines |
| Injectors | Can cause problems with injectors if the vehicle is unused for long periods |
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What You'll Learn
Flex fuel vehicles can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a combination of both
Flex-fuel vehicles, also known as FFVs, are capable of running on gasoline, ethanol-gasoline blends (E85), or a combination of both. E85 is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. FFVs can also run on other ethanol- and methanol-based fuels, such as E10 and E15, which have lower ethanol concentrations.
FFVs have an internal combustion engine and can operate on any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83%. This means that they can use regular unleaded gasoline, which already contains up to 10% ethanol, as well as higher ethanol blends. The engine inside an FFV is designed to run on various fuels, and all the fuels are stored in the same tank.
While FFVs offer flexibility in fuel choice, it is important to note that using higher ethanol blends, like E85, can result in lower fuel efficiency and a reduction in miles per gallon. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use E85 only if it is significantly cheaper than regular fuel. Additionally, FFVs should not be filled with diesel or regular leaded gasoline.
It can sometimes be challenging to identify if a vehicle is an FFV. As of 2022, there were over 20.9 million FFVs in the United States, and many owners may not realize their car is an FFV due to its ability to operate on gasoline. To determine if a vehicle is an FFV, one can refer to the owner's manual, look for a decal under the fuel door, or check for a yellow fuel cap and a badge, which are indicators of E85 compatibility.
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E85 fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline
E85 fuel, also known as flex fuel, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is a domestically produced, renewable, and sustainable alternative fuel option. While E85 is compatible with flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), traditional gas engines are not designed to run on it.
Flex-fuel vehicles can use either E85 or regular unleaded gasoline. FFVs include models from various automotive brands, such as Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen. These vehicles are designed to run on any mixture of gasoline and ethanol up to 85% ethanol.
E85 fuel offers several advantages. Firstly, it burns cleaner than pure gasoline, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This is beneficial for the environment and helps reduce reliance on foreign oil. Additionally, E85 typically costs less per gallon than regular gasoline, making it a more economical option. E85 also has a higher octane rating, which makes it resistant to spark knock. The use of E85 can lead to increased torque and horsepower in FFVs when compared to using regular unleaded gasoline.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using E85 fuel. One of the main concerns is the reduced fuel economy associated with E85. Vehicles using E85 travel fewer miles per gallon, which can be a significant disadvantage for those covering long distances or concerned about fuel efficiency. This reduction in fuel economy is due to the lower heating value of E85 compared to gasoline. Additionally, E85 may be less readily available than regular gasoline, and its use in cold climates can make starting engines more challenging.
While E85 fuel has its pros and cons, it is important to note that the overall impact of using E85 depends on various factors, including the make and model of the vehicle, the method of ethanol production, and the vehicle's overall fuel efficiency.
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E85 costs less per gallon than regular gasoline
E85, a blend of around 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is a flex fuel that can be used in Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs). FFVs can also run on regular unleaded gasoline or a combination of the two fuels in the same tank.
E85 is cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline. In June 2021, the average price for E85 in California was $2.85, compared to $4.22 for gasoline—a 32% difference. AAA reports that the national average price for a gallon of E85 is $2.48, around 57 cents less than a gallon of regular unleaded gas. In 2009, a comparison test by Edmunds found that E85 was 33 cents, or 9.7% cheaper than regular gasoline.
The price advantage of E85 is due to it being taxed less heavily. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) notes that E85 has lower greenhouse gas emissions, as it burns cleaner than pure gasoline, and its use reduces reliance on foreign oil.
However, it's important to note that vehicles using E85 tend to travel fewer miles per gallon due to ethanol having lower energy content per gallon than gasoline. This loss in mileage depends on the actual ethanol content of the fuel, with some blends providing almost the same mileage as gasoline, and some even improving fuel economy.
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Vehicles using E85 travel fewer miles per gallon
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on gasoline, ethanol (blends up to E85), or a combination of the fuels in the same tank. E85 is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. While E85 is cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline, vehicles using it travel fewer miles per gallon.
The decrease in fuel economy when using E85 can be as little as a few percentage points, or as much as 25%. This is because ethanol has a lower energy content per gallon than gasoline. The loss in MPG is dependent on the actual ethanol content of the fuel—the higher the ethanol content, the lower the MPG. E85 also burns faster than regular gasoline because it vaporizes faster, so your engine may consume it faster.
However, some people opt for E85 because it is cheaper, and even with the lower fuel economy, it can still save you money. For example, in June 2021, the average price for E85 in California was $2.85, while the average price for gasoline was $4.22, making E85 32% cheaper. Even in the worst-case scenario, when E85 reduces your mileage by 25%, you can save about 7% on fuel.
Additionally, E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, which can reduce maintenance costs. It also burns cleaner than pure gasoline, producing lower greenhouse gas emissions, and its use reduces reliance on foreign oil.
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E85 is not available at all filling stations
E85, a blend of around 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is a flex fuel that is not available at all filling stations. As of 2023, E85 is available at over 4,200 public stations in 43 states, while E15 is sold at more than 3,000 stations in 31 states. This means that motorists may need to plan their refuelling stops in advance to ensure they can access E85.
To find E85 filling stations, drivers can use the Alternative Fueling Station Locator, which allows users to search for public and private E85 stations by location or along a route. Additionally, some fuel providers, like Pearson Fuels, offer mobile apps that help users find E85 gas stations near them.
It is important to note that not all vehicles are compatible with E85. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on gasoline, ethanol blends up to E85, or a combination of the two in the same tank. Some automotive brands that offer FFVs include Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Mazda. FFVs can typically be identified by a yellow fuel cap and a badge or decal indicating E85 use is allowed.
Before using E85, drivers should check their vehicle's compatibility by referring to their owner's manual, the fuel door, or the fuel cap. Using the wrong type of fuel can have negative consequences for a vehicle's performance and engine health.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel is a blend of gasoline and ethanol, also known as E85. It is an alternative fuel that can be used in Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).
Flex fuel is not necessarily bad for your car, but it depends on the vehicle. FFVs are designed to run on either traditional gasoline or E85, so using flex fuel in these vehicles is perfectly fine. However, traditional gas engines cannot use E85.
Proponents of flex fuel cite its lower environmental impact and cost savings. Flex fuel burns cleaner than pure gasoline, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is also typically cheaper than regular gasoline, with a higher ethanol content during the summer months and a lower ethanol content in winter for easier cold-weather starting.
One of the main drawbacks of flex fuel is its lower fuel economy. Vehicles using E85 travel fewer miles per gallon, with a difference in mileage of up to 25% in some cases. Additionally, if a vehicle sits idle for long periods, E85 can cause problems with gummed-up injectors.
