What Are Flex-Fuel Vehicles - Ethanol-85 Fuel

There are many non-conventional fuel options in the automotive market other than regular gasoline. In this article, we are going to talk over about one of the alternative fuels, i.e. Ethanol-85 Fuel, which is specifically used for the flex-fuel vehicles (E-85). We will also talk about flex-fuel vehicles and how to identify one.

Let’s continue reading and explore together!

Table of Contents

Nonconventional Fuels Other Than Regular Gasoline

Following are non-conventional fuels other than regular gasoline fuel;

Alcohol & Alcohol-blends
Oxygenated Blends
Reformulated Gasoline Fuels (RFG)
Fuel Additives such as cleaning agents, detergents (Top-Tier Detergent Gasoline)
Biodiesels (For diesel-based engines)

However, here, we are going to discuss all about the Ethanol-85 and flex-fuel vehicles in this article.

All About “Ethanol”

“Ethanol is a fuel, which is alcohol-based. Its sources include various materials of plants, such as; corn, sugar-cane, and gases.“

Ethanol being a renewable energy resource, is produced on a domestic level, instead of importing it.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using Ethanol can result in a lesser usage of oils, and a reduced release of gases from the green-house in the atmosphere.

Most common blends of usual gasoline and Ethanol are given below;

Ethanol-10 (E-10)
Ethanol-15 (E-15)
Ethanol-85 (E-85).

Regarding the E-85, manufacturers recommend it specifically for Flex-Fuel vehicles. Otherwise it can harm the engines. The blend available in America is mostly Ethanol-10.

Flex-Fueled Vehicle

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, Flex-fuel is defined as;

“A blend of gasoline and ethanol, containing greater than 15% ethanol, and lesser than 83 % ethanol”

The full term used for Flex-fuel vehicles is “Flexible-Fuel Vehicles”. It is abbreviated as FFV. Such automobiles have an engine based on internal-combustion, which are compatible with regular gasoline as well as blends of gasoline. Ethanol-85 is type of fuel which includes a blend of gasoline and ethanol, in which 51% to 83% of ethanol is present. The percentage depends on the period (season) and geo-graphy. It usually leads to lesser miles/gallon, due to lesser energy/gallon, impacting fuel economy.

Due to a low economy of fuel due to an increased rate of ethanol usage inside flex-fuel vehicles, they have an enhanced performance when it comes to the acceleration.

For the marine vehicles (fleets), that are required to fulfill the regulation of Federal Acquisition, flex-fueled vehicle are deliberated as Alternative-Fuel Vehicles (AFV).

Flex-Fuel Vehicles Ethanol-85 — Flex-Fuel Vehicles

Flex-Fueled Vehicles And Ethanol-85

Ethanol-85 is type of fuel which includes a blend of gasoline and ethanol, in which 51% to 83% of ethanol is present. The percentage depends on the period and geo-graphy. It usually leads to lesser miles/gallon, due to lesser energy/gallon, impacting fuel economy.

Gas Stations In US Offering Ethanol-85 (E-85)

Within 44 states in the United States of America, above 4200 general public Ethanol-85 fuel stations deal in good quality blends of Ethanol. They offer it to above twenty seven million flex-fueled vehicles. However, for such stations, meeting the regulatory criteria is mandatory and critical to maintain as well.

How to Locate a Flex-Fuel Vehicle?

A yellow bezel surrounding the inlet of the fuel tank indicates that your vehicle is flex-fuel. If you cannot find it there, you can check out the door of your fuel tank as well.

If your vehicle has a Flex-Fuel emblem and a yellow gas tank cap, it signifies it is E-85 compliant and safe to utilize E-85 fuel. But do not use flex-fuel gasoline, even if your engine is flex-fuel.

Advantages of Ethanol-85

Following are the advantages of using Ethanol-85 (E-85) as fuel in vehicles;

Major advantage of Ethanol85 is that it leads to low dependency on imported oils
Because of its usage, rate of air pollution become low. Environment remains cleaner, as compared to the usage of regular 100% gasoline (which US regulations do not allow to use)
E-85 offers a great resistance towards knocking of engine.

Disadvantages of Ethanol-85

Following are the advantages of using Ethanol-85 (E-85) as fuel in vehicles;

Ethanol-85 is said to be limited, while using in the flex fueled cars
It usually leads to lesser miles/gallon, due to lesser energy/gallon
E-95 is not easily available in some areas.

Advantages of E-85	Disadvantages of E-85
Major advantage of Ethanol85 is that it leads to low dependency on imported oils	Ethanol-85 is said to be limited, while using in the flex fueled cars
Because of its usage, rate of air pollution become low. Environment remains cleaner, as compared to the usage of regular 100% gasoline	It usually leads to lesser miles/gallon, due to lesser energy/gallon
E-85 offers a great resistance towards knocking of engine.	E-95 is not easily available in some areas.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are many non-conventional fuel options in the automotive market other than regular gasoline. E-85 is one of those. Ethanol-85 is type of fuel which includes a blend of gasoline and ethanol, in which 51% to 83% of ethanol is present. It usually leads to lesser miles/gallon, due to lesser energy/gallon, impacting fuel economy.

Such automobiles (FFV) have an engine based on internal-combustion, which are compatible with regular gasoline as well as blends of gasoline and ethanol (E-85).

What Are Flex-Fuel Vehicles (E-85)? – Ethanol-85 Fuel (E-85) – Explained!