What
Types of Vehicles Use Ethanol? source
DOE
All gasoline vehicles
are capable of operating on gasoline/ethanol
blends with up to 10% ethanol. In
fact, some states require the seasonal
or year-round use of up to 10% ethanol
as an oxygenate additive to gasoline
to mitigate ozone formation. These low
percentage oxygenate blends are not
classified as alternative fuels. We
speak of ethanol vehicles as those specifically
manufactured to be capable of running
on up to 85% denatured ethanol,
15% gasoline (E85), or any mixture
of the two up to the 85% ethanol
limit. E85 may be seasonally adjusted
in colder climates such that the real
proportion of E85 is less than 85%
ethanol. Vehicles manufactured for E85
use are commonly called flexible fuel
vehicles (FFVs). For more information
on alternative fuel vehicles capable
of fueling with higher percentages of
ethanol, read on.
Light-duty FFVs include a wide range
of vehicles, from compacts to sport
utility vehicles to pickup trucks. Unlike
bi-fuel natural gas and propane vehicles
that have two unique fueling systems,
FFVs have only one fueling system. To
qualify as an alternative fuel vehicle
(AFV) for tax credits, incentives to
meet requirements for mandated fleets
(federal, state, and fuel provider fleets)
under the Energy Policy Act of 1992
(EPAct), a vehicle must be capable of
using fuel blends up to 85% ethanol.
Vehicle Availability
FFVs are widely available.
As of 2005, the National Ethanol Vehicle
Coalition estimated that approximately
5 million FFVs have already been sold
in the United States, although many
buyers remain unaware that they may
fuel with E85. Check your owner's manual,
visit with your dealer, or see our list
of current model year FFVs to determine
if you drive a vehicle that can fuel
with E85.
Fuel Availability
E85 fueling stations
are located primarily in the Midwest;
more than 150 public E85 stations are
available across the United States.
The actual fueling process is the same
as fueling with gasoline or diesel.
Vehicle Experience
FFVs have recently become
widely used by consumers, but they have
operated in private and government fleets
for years.
Vehicle and Fuel Costs
E85 is usually sold at
prices comparable to regular grade gasoline,
although prices vary regionally.
With the mass production of some E85
compatible vehicles, original equipment
manufacturers usually offer these vehicles
at the same prices as comparable gasoline
vehicles. In some cases, E85 compatibility
is offered as a vehicle option at a
slight cost increase to the consumer.
Use of special lubricants
may be required for FFVs. Check the
owner's manual or consult with the manufacturer
to ensure that the correct engine oil
is used. Use E85 replacement parts (identify
E85 as the fuel when ordering). Maintenance
assistance is available from local dealers;
practices are very similar, if not identical,
to those for conventionally fueled vehicles.
Benefits
Compared with gasoline-fueled
vehicles, most ethanol-fueled vehicles
produce lower carbon monoxide and carbon
dioxide emissions and the same or lower
levels of hydrocarbon and non-methane
hydrocarbon emissions. Oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) emissions are about
the same for ethanol and gasoline vehicles.
E85 has fewer highly volatile components
than gasoline and so has fewer evaporative
emissions.
Ethanol is domestically produced, so
its use helps reduce the nation's dependence
on imported oil and can help boost the
agricultural sector's economy. In addition,
it's a renewable fuel made from domestically
grown crops like corn, sugar beets,
sugar cane, barley, and wheat. Currently,
increased R&D efforts are being
conducted on the use of cellulosic biomass,
such as corn stover, switchgrass, and
other bio-feedstocks for the production
of ethanol.
General Motors has a fun "Cornulator"
on its Live
Green, Go Yellow Web site. Use it
to estimate barrels of oil saved by
fueling with E85.
Performance
Ethanol is a high-octane
fuel and has 80% or more of the
energy content of gasoline. Some auto
manufacturers are installing larger
fuel tanks, so the range of FFVs is
similar to gasoline vehicles. Power,
acceleration, payload, and cruise speed
of vehicles operating with E85 are comparable
to those operating with equivalent conventional
fuels.
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