E85 fuel is gaining popularity as a potential solution to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. This fuel blend consists of 85% ethanol, derived from American-grown corn and other crops, and 15% gasoline. The Department of Energy addresses common questions about E85:
**What is E85 and what are its benefits?**
E85 is a high-octane fuel that can enhance vehicle performance, potentially increasing horsepower by up to 5% in some cases. As a domestically produced fuel, it also burns cleaner than traditional gasoline. Government tests have demonstrated that vehicles using E85 produce fewer harmful emissions compared to gasoline-powered vehicles.
**Why is ethanol a beneficial fuel source?**
Ethanol offers ample horsepower while minimizing pollution. It’s primarily made from corn and other renewable resources, making it biodegradable and preventing water contamination. Furthermore, using ethanol boosts the value of feed grains cultivated by American farmers and reduces reliance on foreign oil.
**What is the cost of E85?**
E85 is typically priced competitively with 87-octane gasoline. Ongoing research and the development of new ethanol plants, utilizing sources like trees and prairie grasses, are expected to make ethanol an even more affordable and sustainable alternative to imported fuels.
**Is my vehicle compatible with E85?**
Not all vehicles can run on E85. Only flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are designed to operate on regular unleaded gasoline or any ethanol blend up to 85%. For a comprehensive list of FFVs and to determine if your vehicle is compatible, visit www.e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php. Currently, there are approximately six million FFVs on the road, including models from major manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
**What distinguishes an FFV from a gasoline-only vehicle?**
The primary difference lies in the fuel sensor, which detects the ethanol-to-gasoline ratio. FFVs also feature slight modifications to the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel injectors, computer system, anti-siphon device, and dashboard gauges compared to gasoline-only vehicles. FFVs are generally available at a similar cost to gasoline-only models and come with the same warranties.
**Where can I purchase E85?**
A comprehensive list of E85 fueling stations can be found at www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php. The number of stations offering E85 is continuously growing.