Ameer Randolph
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used as fuel for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFVs can run on pure gasoline, ethanol, or a combination of the two in the same tank. E85 burns cleaner than pure gasoline, resulting in fewer emissions, and costs less per gallon. However, it also produces less energy, resulting in lower fuel economy. FFVs can be identified by a yellow fuel cap or a badge with Flex-Fuel, FFV, or E85. Several automotive brands offer FFVs, including Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mazda, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
Characteristics and Values of Cars that Run on E85 Fuel:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Car Brands | Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, General Motors, Audi, Mazda, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Toyota, and Hyundai |
| Fuel Type | Flex-fuel, FFV, or E85 |
| Fuel Economy | Varies depending on the car model, but generally lower than gasoline |
| Fuel Cost | Lower than regular gasoline |
| Fuel Detection | Sensors in FFVs detect the type of fuel and adjust fuel injection and combustion timing |
| Fuel Cap | Yellow fuel cap or yellow ring around the hole for capless fillers |
| Fuel Availability | E85 gas stations are available, but fewer than regular gasoline stations |
| Engine | Modified internal combustion engines that can use traditional gasoline, ethanol, or a blend of both |
| Emissions | Produces fewer emissions and burns cleaner than pure gasoline |
| Fuel Blend | Can use any blend of ethanol and gasoline, with ethanol making up at least 85% |
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What You'll Learn
E85-compatible vehicles
Some automotive brands that have offered FFVs in recent years include Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, and GMC. In 2015, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) reported that over 80 different models from eight manufacturers were available to consumers. As of 2024, Ford offers several FFV models, including the Ford Focus, Ford F-150 2WD pickup, and Ford TorqShift. Chrysler also offers several E85-compatible models, including the Chrysler 200 and its Dodge Grand Caravan sibling, both of which are known for their safety features. Additionally, Jeep's Cherokee, a lightweight SUV with a strong standard feature set, is also E85-compatible.
General Motors is a strong proponent of E85, so its full-size pickup trucks, the Silverado and the Sierra, are configured to run on this fuel. Outside of the United States, automotive brands such as Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Renault offer E85-compatible vehicles in markets like Brazil, Thailand, Sweden, Benelux, France, and Switzerland.
To determine if a vehicle is E85-compatible, look for a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, a yellow fuel cap or a yellow ring around the fuel hole for capless fuel fillers is a good indication that the car can use E85. For newer vehicles, a decal under the fuel door may indicate that E85 use is allowed. Always refer to the owner's manual for specific information on the fuel requirements of your vehicle.
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Flex-fuel vehicles
A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle is an automobile with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol fuel. Both fuels are stored in the same tank. Modern flex-fuel engines can burn any proportion of the resulting blend in the combustion chamber as fuel injection and spark timing are adjusted automatically according to the actual blend detected by a fuel composition sensor.
FFVs are distinguished from bi-fuel vehicles, where two fuels are stored in separate tanks and the engine runs on one fuel at a time, for example, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or hydrogen. The most common commercially available FFV in the world market is the ethanol flexible-fuel vehicle, with about 60 million automobiles, motorcycles and light-duty trucks manufactured and sold worldwide by March 2018.
In the United States, flex-fuel vehicles are also known as "E85 vehicles". In Brazil, the FFVs are popularly known as "total flex" or simply "flex" cars. In Europe, FFVs are also known as "flexifuel" vehicles. Automakers, particularly in Brazil and the European market, use badging in their FFV models with some variant of the word "flex", such as Volvo Flexifuel, or Volkswagen Total Flex, or Chevrolet FlexPower or Renault Hi-Flex.
E85 (or flex fuel) is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season. Because FFVs are factory-made and capable of operating on gasoline and gasoline-ethanol blends, many vehicle owners do not realize their car is an FFV and that they have a choice of fuels to use. FFVs are similar to their conventional gasoline-only counterparts, except for an ethanol-compatible fuel system and a different powertrain calibration.
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E85 fuel economy
E85 fuel, which is a blend of 51%–85% ethanol and the remainder gasoline, can only be used in certain vehicles, called flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). These vehicles have a fuel delivery system and engine that are designed to use E85. FFVs are capable of running on both ethanol-gasoline blends and regular gasoline.
While E85 is typically cheaper per gallon than gasoline, FFVs will generally get 15%–27% fewer miles per gallon when fuelled with E85, depending on the car and the driver's driving habits. This means that E85 may be more expensive per mile. However, some drivers report achieving almost the same or even better fuel economy with E85 than with regular gasoline. This may be because E85, which always has 100+ octanes, generates the same power with lower RPMs than gasoline, meaning that you don't have to push the throttle as much as with gasoline. Additionally, E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, reducing the need for maintenance.
To determine whether E85 or gasoline is the most cost-effective option, consumers can use the DOE's vehicle cost calculator to determine how much a flex-fuel vehicle can save on fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
In the Brazilian market, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, and Volkswagen offer vehicles capable of running on any blend between E20 to E85. In the Thai market, Mitsubishi and Nissan offer vehicles capable of running on any blend between E20 to E85. Four automotive brands—Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, and GMC—offered FFVs in the 2025 model year.
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E85 vs regular gasoline
E85, also known as flex fuel, is a blend of ethanol and gasoline that consists of 51% to 83% ethanol, with the percentage of ethanol depending on the geographical location and time of the year. It is a renewable resource that is produced domestically in the United States, primarily from corn, and it offers several advantages over regular gasoline.
One of the main benefits of E85 is its positive environmental impact. Ethanol-based fuels burn cleaner than pure gasoline, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower reliance on foreign oil. Additionally, E85 is typically sold at a lower price per gallon than regular gasoline, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious consumers.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using E85. One significant disadvantage is the decrease in miles per gallon compared to regular gasoline. Ethanol provides less energy per gallon, resulting in a lower fuel economy for vehicles running on E85. This decrease in fuel efficiency can offset the cost savings of E85's lower price per gallon, resulting in a higher overall fuel cost for long-distance travel.
Another consideration is the availability of E85. While it is the most common form of flex fuel on the market, its distribution is uneven across the United States. E85 is more readily available in the Midwest, where corn is a major crop, and less available in regions like New England and the Pacific Northwest. As a result, drivers in certain areas may have limited access to E85 filling stations.
It is important to note that E85 is only suitable for use in flex-fuel vehicles, which have been designed with modified internal combustion engines and revised engine software to accommodate ethanol-gasoline blends. Using E85 in a vehicle not designed for flexible fuel can cause damage to the engine.
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How to check if your car is E85-compatible
E85, or flex fuel, is a blend of ethanol and gasoline that can be used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFVs are equipped with modified internal combustion engines that can use traditional gasoline, ethanol blends, or a combination of the two in the same tank.
- Check for a badge with "Flex-Fuel," "FFV," or "E85" on the rear of your vehicle.
- Look for a yellow gas cap or a yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted if your vehicle has a capless fuel filler.
- Refer to your owner's manual to see if E85 is listed as an approved fuel type.
- If you own a Chrysler, the Test Group Name posted on the Vehicle Emissions Control Information label (found under the hood) will indicate if your vehicle is E85-compatible.
- For Volkswagen, Hyundai, Mazda, Jaguar Land Rover, and Nissan vehicles, you can check the fuel door or fuel cap to see if there is a decal indicating E85 use is allowed.
It is important to note that using E85 in a car not designed for flex fuel can be harmful. Always refer to the owner's manual or seek advice from a qualified mechanic if you are unsure about the compatibility of your vehicle with E85 fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It burns cleaner than pure gasoline, resulting in fewer emissions.
Many car manufacturers offer flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can run on E85 fuel. These include Audi, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Peugeot.
You can check your owner's manual, the fuel door, or the fuel cap to see if your vehicle is E85 compatible. Some common indicators include a yellow fuel cap, a yellow ring around the fuel hole, or a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85".
E85 fuel has several benefits, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a lower price per gallon compared to regular gasoline.
Yes, while E85 fuel burns cleaner, it also produces less energy than gasoline, resulting in lower fuel economy. It is also important to note that E85 fuel should only be used in flex-fuel vehicles, as it can damage traditional gasoline engines.
