Katerina Swanson
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of operating on gasoline and any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83%. E85 (or flex fuel) is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season. The first commercial flexible-fuel vehicle was the Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927. Since then, many other car manufacturers have started producing FFVs, including Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, Toyota, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First commercial flexible fuel vehicle | Ford Model T |
| Year of production of the first commercial flexible fuel vehicle | 1908-1927 |
| First ethanol-powered car | Developed by Henry Ford in the 1880s |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States in 2017 | More than 21 million |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States in 2013 | About 11 million |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States in 2001 | 1.4 million |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States in 2005 | 4.1 million |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States in 2008 | 7.3 million |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States in 2022 | More than 20.9 million |
| Flex-fuel vehicle manufacturers | Ford, GM, Chrysler, Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda |
| Flex-fuel vehicle models | 1.6L Ford Escort, 3.0L Taurus, 5.0L LTD Crown Victoria, GMC Sierra EV, Nissan, Mazda |
| Flex-fuel vehicle markets | Brazil, Thailand, Sweden, Benelux, France, Switzerland |
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What You'll Learn
History of flex-fuel cars
The history of flex-fuel cars can be traced back to the 1880s when Henry Ford created the first ethanol-powered car. Over a century later, manufacturers are still refining flex-fuel technology. In 1908, Ford released a Model T that could run on ethanol or gasoline, or a combination of both. However, due to low gas prices and a lack of concern for climate change, ethanol fuel did not gain mainstream popularity.
The oil dominance as a motor fuel was first questioned in the US following the 1973 oil crisis, which resulted in gasoline shortages and a growing awareness of the dangers of oil dependence. This crisis presented an opportunity for alternative fuels like ethanol, methanol, and others, with the US government providing initial support for their development. The Alternative Motor Fuels Act, passed later, provided credits for the production of vehicles that ran on alternative fuels, encouraging manufacturers to produce FFVs starting in 1988.
Modern flex-fuel vehicles, using E85 fuel, were first produced by Ford in 1996. E85 is a blend of 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season, with the remaining percentage being gasoline. By the mid-2000s, several major manufacturers, including General Motors, Chrysler, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz, were producing at least one flex-fuel vehicle. In 2006, Ford, GM, and Chrysler pledged to double their FFV production, and Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, and Toyota also joined the market.
Flex-fuel vehicles have become increasingly common, especially in the Midwest, where corn, the primary feedstock for ethanol production, is a major crop. As of 2017, there were over 21 million E85 flex-fuel vehicles in the US, up from about 11 million in 2013. However, the actual use of ethanol fuel is limited due to the lack of E85 refueling infrastructure and many North American flex-fuel car owners being unaware they own an E85 vehicle.
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Flex-fuel cars in the US
The United States has the world's second-largest fleet of flexible-fuel vehicles, with over 20 million flex-fuel vehicles registered in the country by the end of 2017. The number of flex-fuel vehicles on US roads increased from 1.4 million in 2001 to 4.1 million in 2005 and rose to 7.3 million in 2008. By 2013, there were about 11 million flex-fuel cars and light trucks in operation, which increased to more than 21 million by 2017.
Flex-fuel vehicles are capable of operating on gasoline and any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83%. E85 (or flex fuel) is a blend of 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season. Ethanol is a plant-based gas alternative that is renewable and cleaner than ordinary gasoline. Most ethanol in the US is produced from corn, but some sugar-producing countries make a sugar-based alternative. E85 is the official name for flex-fuel, and it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In the past, manufacturers received financial incentives from the US government to produce flex-fuel vehicles. These incentives have now been shifted to electric cars. However, flex-fuel vehicles are still popular in the US, especially in the Midwest, where corn is a major crop and is used for ethanol production. Many types of vehicles are available with the flex-fuel option, including sedans, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
Several car manufacturers offer flex-fuel vehicles, including Ford, GM, Chrysler, Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, and Toyota. Ford was the first manufacturer to introduce commercial flex-fuel vehicles in 1996, with the FFV Ford Taurus capable of running on either methanol or ethanol blended with gasoline.
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Flex-fuel car manufacturers
The first commercial flexible-fuel vehicle was the Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927. It was fitted with a carburetor with adjustable jetting, allowing the use of gasoline or ethanol, or a combination of both. Ford began development of a flexible-fuel vehicle in 1982, and between 1985 and 1992, 705 experimental FFVs were built and delivered to California and Canada. In 1996, Ford introduced the first commercial production of an E85 FFV, the Taurus, which was fully capable of running on either methanol or ethanol blended with gasoline.
Since 2006, Ford, GM, and Chrysler have pledged to double their FFV production. Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, and Toyota also produce FFVs. Honda, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault, and Volkswagen also offer flex-fuel vehicles in the Brazilian market.
As of 2022, there were more than 20.9 million FFVs in the United States, up from about 11 million flex-fuel cars and light trucks in operation as of early 2013. The number of flex-fuel vehicles on U.S. roads increased from 1.4 million in 2001 to 4.1 million in 2005 and rose to 7.3 million in 2008. The demand for ethanol fuel produced from field corn in the United States was stimulated by the discovery in the late '90s that methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an additive in gasoline, was contaminating groundwater. The substitution of MTBE opened a new market for ethanol fuel and contributed to a sharp increase in the production and sale of E85 flex vehicles since 2002.
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Environmental impact of flex-fuel cars
Flex-fuel cars, also known as flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), are considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline-powered cars. This is because they use E85 fuel, which produces fewer emissions and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular gasoline.
E85 fuel is a blend of gasoline and up to 85% ethanol, a renewable biofuel that is domestically produced in the United States from corn or other biological materials. Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in fewer toxic fumes and reduced tailpipe emissions of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, and fine particulates. According to an analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association, E85 fuel has a carbon footprint that is 46% lower than regular gasoline when considering its entire life cycle.
In addition to the environmental benefits, flex-fuel cars can also provide increased torque and horsepower compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. The use of ethanol blends can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% and contribute to improved combustion, releasing fewer pollutants. The production of ethanol from crops also captures CO2, further reducing the environmental impact of flex-fuel cars.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. Flex-fuel vehicles may experience lower mileage due to the lower energy content of ethanol, resulting in up to 27% fewer miles per gallon than gasoline-powered vehicles. The increased demand for ethanol production may also impact crop prices and availability for other uses, such as animal feed. Additionally, the availability of E85 fuel may be limited due to the lack of refueling infrastructure and consumer awareness.
Despite these challenges, the popularity of flex-fuel cars is growing, with more than 20 million E85 flex-fuel vehicles registered in the United States by the end of 2017, making it the second-largest fleet in the world after Brazil. The US government has also been using flex-fuel vehicles for many years, and various manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Chrysler, Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, and Toyota produce FFVs.
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Flex-fuel car models
The first commercial flexible-fuel vehicle was the Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927. It was fitted with a carburetor with adjustable jetting, allowing the use of gasoline or ethanol, or a combination of both. Henry Ford created the first ethanol-powered car in the 1880s.
In 1982, Ford began developing a flexible-fuel vehicle, and between 1985 and 1992, 705 experimental FFVs were built and delivered to California and Canada, including the 1.6L Ford Escort, the 3.0L Taurus, and the 5.0L LTD Crown Victoria. These vehicles could operate on either gasoline or methanol with only one fuel system. In 1996, Ford introduced the first commercial production of an E85 FFV, a new FFV Ford Taurus capable of running on either methanol or ethanol blended with gasoline.
Since 2008, almost any type of automobile and light-duty vehicle has been available with the flex-fuel option, including sedans, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. For the 2011 model year, there were about 70 E85-capable vehicles, mostly trucks and sport-utility vehicles. As of 2022, there were more than 20.9 million FFVs in the United States, up from about 11 million in 2013. The number of flex-fuel vehicles in the US has been steadily increasing since 2001.
Flex-fuel vehicles are common in the Midwest, where corn is a major crop and is the primary feedstock for ethanol fuel production. E85 contains up to 85% ethanol, which is a grain alcohol usually made from corn, although it can also be produced from cane sugar or agricultural waste products. The FFV system is available in each of the Chrysler and Volkswagen models, as well as in some Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, and Renault models.
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Frequently asked questions
Many car manufacturers make flex-fuel vehicles, including Ford, GM, Chrysler, Audi, Nissan, VW, Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault, Jaguar Land Rover, and Mazda.
Flex-fuel is a blend of ethanol and gasoline. Ethanol is a plant-based gas alternative that is renewable and cleaner than ordinary gasoline.
Many vehicle owners are not aware that their car is a flex-fuel vehicle. You can check your owner's manual, the fuel door, or the fuel cap to see if your vehicle is E85 compatible. Alternatively, you can use the Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search to find current FFV models.
Flex-fuel vehicles are better for the environment than traditional gasoline-powered cars. They also tend to be cheaper to run as E85 is often cheaper than regular gas.
