Regan Brown
Flex-fuel vehicles, also known as flexible-fuel or FFVs, are those that have internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. The most common flex fuel is E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, although the ethanol content can vary from 51% to 85% depending on the season and region. While E85 is cheaper than gasoline, it is less efficient, with flex-fuel vehicles getting up to 25% poorer mileage than when burning traditional gasoline. However, due to the price difference, drivers can still save money by using E85. Additionally, E85 burns cleaner than gasoline, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on foreign oil.
Characteristics and Values of MPG on Flex Fuel Cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flex Fuel Composition | A combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol |
| Ethanol Content | 10% to 85% |
| MPG | Varies; some sources claim it is lower than gasoline, while others claim it is almost the same or even better |
| Fuel Economy | Varies; some sources claim it is poorer than gasoline, while others claim it is almost the same or even better |
| Fuel Cost | Generally cheaper than gasoline |
| Environmental Impact | Lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline |
| Engine Maintenance | E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, reducing maintenance costs |
| Vehicle Compatibility | Designed for specific vehicles with modified internal combustion engines; not suitable for all cars |
| Fuel Availability | Limited availability, with approximately 2,300 filling stations in the US as of 2014 |
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What You'll Learn
Ethanol's impact on engine performance
Ethanol has a positive impact on engine performance. It is a high-octane biofuel that is added to nearly every gallon of fuel sold in the US. The boost from biofuel's octane enhances engine performance and allows for more efficient engine designs. Ethanol displaces aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline, which are difficult to burn completely. Ethanol contains oxygen, which contributes to a thorough and efficient oxidation of fuel. This means that unburned hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions are reduced. Ethanol is also an excellent solvent, reducing carbon build-up in the engine, fuel injectors, valves, lines, and exhaust system. This means that E85 helps keep the engine in good shape and running cooler.
However, ethanol has been associated with a decrease in fuel economy. Ethanol contains less energy than gasoline, so a vehicle will get fewer miles per gallon when using E85. The loss in MPG is dependent on the actual ethanol content of the fuel. The higher the ethanol content, the lower the MPG.
Despite this, flex-fuel vehicles can still be a good choice for drivers. Firstly, ethanol is cheaper than gasoline, so even with a decrease in MPG, drivers can still save money. Secondly, ethanol is better for the environment, as it burns cleaner than gasoline, meaning flex-fuel cars pump fewer toxic fumes into the environment. Thirdly, ethanol has a high octane rating, which delivers greater power and speed. Finally, ethanol can remove oil-based grime from surfaces, preventing the build-up of residues on key engine components.
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Flex fuel's environmental benefits
Flex fuel is a blend of gasoline and ethanol or methanol. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can contain 10% to 85% ethanol, with the vehicle's advanced technology determining the most efficient proportions.
Flex fuel offers several environmental benefits, including:
Reduced Emissions and Greenhouse Gases
Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in fewer toxic fumes and reduced emissions. Flex fuel contributes fewer greenhouse gases, making it more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol reduces tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, and fine particulates. Overall, flex fuel has a smaller carbon footprint than non-ethanol fuel blends.
Renewable and Sustainable Resource
Ethanol is a renewable resource made from biological materials such as corn, sugarcane, or other biological materials. This sustainable production reduces our reliance on finite oil supplies and foreign oil. Additionally, ethanol production results in useful byproducts like distillers' grains, which can be used as high-protein cattle feed.
Improved Engine Performance
Flex fuel cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, helping to keep the engine in good shape and running cooler. This reduces maintenance costs and improves engine performance, with some vehicles experiencing increased torque and horsepower.
Tax Credits
In some regions, consumers who drive flex-fuel cars receive tax credits or reductions in their tax obligations.
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Flex fuel's impact on fuel economy
Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can contain 10 to 85 percent ethanol, with the vehicle determining the most efficient proportions.
E85, the official name for flex-fuel, tends to be much cheaper than regular gas, but it is also not as efficient. On average, a flex-fuel vehicle gets 25% poorer mileage when burning flex-fuel instead of traditional gasoline. This is because ethanol contains less energy than gasoline. However, with the disparity in pricing between flex fuel and gasoline, you can get better fuel economy and save money. The higher the ethanol content, the lower the MPG.
While most people see a decrease in fuel economy when running their vehicle on flex fuel, some flex-fuel blends can provide the same or even better fuel economy than regular gasoline. This is because ethanol is an excellent solvent that doesn't leave deposits when it burns, while regular gasoline creates deposits in fuel injectors and valves, decreasing a vehicle's fuel economy. The right balance of regular gasoline and flex fuel (usually E40 to E60) reduces these deposits and keeps your vehicle's MPG about the same.
Additionally, E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, keeping the engine in good shape and running cooler. This saves on maintenance costs, as fuel injectors will not need to be cleaned.
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Flex-fuel vehicles: past and present
The concept of flex-fuel vehicles is not new. Henry Ford's iconic Model T, built from 1908 to 1927, featured carburettor jets that could be adjusted to let the engine run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mix of the two. This capability made it the first commercially produced "flex-fuel" vehicle. In the early 1900s, gasoline, diesel, alcohols, electricity, and other fuels were all vying for the automotive transportation market, with petroleum ultimately dominating.
However, the 1973 oil crisis spurred interest in increased national energy independence, bringing methanol and ethanol back into the picture. Ethanol won out due to its lower toxicity, potentially greener production process, and support from the Iowa corn growers lobby. The technology was then developed in the early 1990s and used in the mass-produced 1994 Ford Taurus.
By 2015, some 80 different vehicles offered E85 capability, and as of 2017, there were approximately 21 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road. Today, there are over 22 million E85-compatible vehicles on the road, according to the Department of Energy.
One of the greatest advantages of a flex-fuel vehicle is its ability to burn whatever proportion of fuel mixture is in the combustion chamber. These vehicles are equipped with electronic sensors that gauge the blend and make adjustments to the fuel injection and timing. Modern flex-fuel cars can contain 10 to 85 percent ethanol, and the vehicle will determine the most efficient proportions.
While flex fuel offers many benefits, there are some disadvantages to consider. One of the main concerns is gas mileage. It is common to get lower MPG with flex fuel, but not always. The loss in MPG depends on the actual ethanol content of the fuel, with higher ethanol content generally leading to lower MPG. However, some flex fuel blends with lower ethanol content can provide similar or even better MPG than regular gasoline. Additionally, E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, reducing maintenance costs.
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The cost of flex fuel
For example, a 2014 Ford Focus gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway with gas but only 28 miles per gallon with E85, according to FuelEconomy.gov. Using the average prices of E85 and gas in 2014, this equates to paying about 10 cents per mile with E85 and about 9 cents per mile with gas. In this case, the lower price per gallon of E85 does not compensate for the lower number of miles per gallon, making it cheaper to fill up with gas.
However, the specific vehicle and the blend of flex fuel used can make a difference. Some flex-fuel blends, particularly those with lower ethanol content, can provide similar or even better fuel economy than regular gasoline. This is because ethanol is an excellent solvent that doesn't leave deposits when it burns, whereas regular gasoline creates deposits that can decrease a vehicle's fuel economy. Additionally, since E85 always has an octane rating of 100 or above, it generates the same power with lower RPMs than gasoline, meaning that you don't have to push the throttle as much.
It is also worth noting that consumers who drive flex-fuel cars may receive tax credits that can significantly reduce or eliminate their tax obligation. Additionally, flex fuel is made from sustainable crops like corn and sugar, which can reduce reliance on foreign oil. However, the production of flex fuel can drive up the price of animal feed and is susceptible to weather conditions and disease.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. It is also known as E85, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
It depends. While some experts assert that flex-fuel vehicles have similar mileage to regular fuel-powered vehicles, others claim they have lower gas mileage. It is common to get lower MPG with flex fuel, but not always. The loss in MPG is dependent on the actual ethanol content of the fuel—the higher the ethanol content, the lower the MPG.
Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, which means flex-fuel cars emit fewer toxic fumes and lower greenhouse gases into the environment. Flex fuel is also cheaper than regular gas, and consumers who drive flex-fuel cars receive tax credits that can significantly reduce or even eliminate their tax obligation.
Ethanol absorbs dirt easily, which can potentially corrode and damage your engine. Ethanol is also harsher than gasoline, and it can dry out fuel lines, O-rings, and other plastic parts.
