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Flex fuel is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. It is also known as E85 and is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The main ingredient in processing ethanol is corn, a sustainable crop grown in the United States. E85 is cheaper than gasoline, but vehicles using it travel fewer miles per gallon. This is because ethanol contains less energy, so you have to fill up more frequently. However, some flex fuel blends can provide the same or even better fuel economy than regular gasoline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. |
| Composition | 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. |
| Price | $2.35 to $2.70 per gallon at filling stations in the Midwest. |
| National Average Price | $2.77 |
| Average Price of Gasoline | $3.54 |
| MPG | 13.5 mpg |
| Fuel Economy | 20% to 25% lower than gasoline. |
| Fuel Economy Ratings | Lower than gasoline. |
| Fuel Efficiency | Fewer miles per gallon than gasoline. |
| Environmental Impact | Lower greenhouse-gas emissions than gasoline. |
| Engine Compatibility | Compatible with engines that have modified internal combustion engines. |
| Flex Fuel Vehicles | Over 10.6 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road. |
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What You'll Learn
E85 flex fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline
E85 flex fuel is used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which have internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. FFVs can use E85 or regular unleaded fuel, but traditional gas engines cannot use E85. E85 is typically cheaper than regular gasoline, but vehicles using it tend to achieve lower miles per gallon (mpg). For example, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT achieved an average fuel economy of 13.5 mpg when using E85, compared to 15 mpg in the city when using gasoline. Similarly, a 2023 Ford F-150 2WD FFV pickup achieved 16 mpg when using E85 and 21 mpg when using gasoline.
The lower fuel economy of E85 is due to its lower energy density compared to pure gasoline. However, E85 has a higher octane rating, making it more resistant to engine knock. Additionally, E85 burns cleaner than pure gasoline, resulting in reduced toxic fumes and greenhouse gas emissions. E85 is also a more sustainable option, as ethanol can be produced from renewable sources such as cane sugar and corn.
While E85 offers environmental and cost benefits, it is important to note that it is not available at all gas stations and may not be suitable for all vehicles. FFVs are designed to detect the fuel blend and make necessary adjustments, but using E85 in a vehicle not designed for it can be harmful. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the owner's manual before using E85 in any vehicle.
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Flex fuel vehicles can use E85 or regular unleaded
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are those that have internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. They can use both regular unleaded gasoline and E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. FFVs are equipped with electronic sensors that gauge the blend of fuel and adjust the fuel injection and timing of combustion accordingly.
While E85 is cheaper per gallon than regular unleaded gasoline, vehicles using it tend to travel fewer miles per gallon (mpg). For example, a 2023 Ford F-150 2WD FFV pickup with a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder engine earns 21 combined mpg when using gasoline but only 16 combined mpg when using E85. Similarly, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT achieved an average fuel economy of 13.5 mpg on a 667-mile round trip from San Diego to Las Vegas when using E85, compared to 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway when using gasoline.
Despite the lower fuel economy ratings, FFVs have several benefits. They contribute fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline engines, making them a more environmentally friendly option. They also tend to have lower maintenance costs due to the higher octane rating of E85 fuel, which helps to clean the engine and prevent build-up over time. Additionally, FFVs are compatible with regular unleaded gasoline, which is more widely available than E85.
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E85 costs less per gallon than regular gasoline
E85 is a type of flex fuel, which is a blend of gasoline and ethanol. It is a popular alternative to traditional gasoline as it burns cleaner and is produced from sustainable crops such as corn and sugar cane grown in the United States, reducing reliance on foreign oil.
One of the biggest advantages of E85 is its cost. E85 costs less 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. This is because E85 is taxed less heavily. Even when factoring in the reduced mileage of E85, which can be up to 25% less than gasoline, motorists can still save money. For example, on a 667-mile round trip from San Diego to Las Vegas, a vehicle achieved an average fuel economy of 13.5 mpg with E85, compared to 18.3 mpg with gasoline. Despite using more fuel, the cost of E85 was $30 cheaper overall.
However, it is important to note that E85 is not always the most cost-effective option. The fuel economy of a vehicle when using E85 depends on the ethanol content of the blend. The higher the ethanol content, the lower the MPG. Some flex-fuel blends can provide the same or even better fuel economy than regular gasoline. Therefore, motorists can choose E85 fuel with a higher gasoline content to achieve better mileage.
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Vehicles using E85 travel fewer miles per gallon
E85, or flex fuel, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used in vehicles designed to run on it as well as regular gasoline. It is a renewable and domestically produced alternative fuel that is better for the environment and costs less per gallon than regular gasoline. However, vehicles using E85 travel fewer miles per gallon (mpg).
While flex fuel has many benefits, the lower mpg rating is a notable drawback for some drivers. The difference in mileage can be close to 25% less than gasoline. For example, a 2023 Ford F-150 2WD FFV pickup with a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder engine earns 21 mpg when using gasoline but only 16 mpg when using E85. Similarly, a 2014 Ford Focus gets 40 mpg on the highway with gas but only 28 mpg with E85.
The lower mpg associated with E85 is due to the fact that ethanol contains less energy than gasoline. This means that vehicles have to fill up more frequently, which can wipe out any savings made from the lower price of flex fuel. However, it's worth noting that not all E85 blends result in lower mpg. Some flex-fuel blends with an ethanol content between 10% and 85% 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 that can decrease a vehicle's fuel economy.
Additionally, E85 flex fuel is a more environmentally friendly option than regular gasoline. Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, meaning flex-fuel cars pump fewer toxic fumes into the environment and contribute fewer greenhouse gases. This makes E85 an attractive option for drivers who want to reduce their environmental impact.
In conclusion, while vehicles using E85 may experience fewer miles per gallon, the lower price and environmental benefits of flex fuel can still make it a cost-effective and appealing choice for many drivers.
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E85 flex fuel is more environmentally friendly
E85 flex fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is a sustainable and domestically produced alternative to gasoline, with ethanol being made from plant materials such as corn, sugarcane, and wood. E85 is a good option for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact for several reasons.
Firstly, ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, meaning flex-fuel cars emit fewer toxic fumes and fewer greenhouse gases. This makes flex fuel a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gasoline. The use of ethanol also reduces reliance on foreign oil, which has geopolitical advantages and comparatively reduces transport costs.
Secondly, E85 is typically cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline, making it an attractive option for those wanting to save money. While E85 has lower fuel economy ratings, with vehicles travelling fewer miles per gallon, the savings on the cost per gallon can offset the difference in mileage. For example, a 2023 Ford F-150 2WD FFV pickup with a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder engine earns 21 combined mpg when using gasoline but only 16 combined mpg when using E85.
Finally, modern flex-fuel vehicles are built using advanced technology, such as electronic sensors that allow the vehicle to adjust its performance based on the fuel blend. This means that flex-fuel vehicles can burn any proportion of the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, and the vehicle will determine the most efficient proportions.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel, also known as E85, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used in vehicles designed to run on it, as well as regular gasoline.
It is common to get lower mpg with flex fuel, but not always. The decrease in mpg may be only a few percentage points, or it may be as much as 25%. The loss in mpg is dependent on the actual ethanol content of the fuel.
Flex fuel burns cleaner than pure gasoline, reducing the number of toxic fumes and greenhouse gases emitted. It is also domestically produced, making the supply chain shorter and reducing reliance on foreign oil.
