Flexible-fuel
vehicles
in
the
United
States
North
American
vehicles
from
approximately
1980
onward
can
run
on
10%
ethanol/90%
gasoline
(e.g.,
E10)
with
no
modifications.
Prior
to
1980,
many
cars
imported
into
the
United
States
contained
rubber,
aluminium,
and
other
materials
that
were
generally
non-compatible
with
any
ethanol
in
their
fuel
delivery
systems,
and
these
cars
experienced
problems
when
E10
was
first
introduced.Cars
made
in
the
US
from
the
late
1970's
onward
can
run
on
E10
with
no
modifications.
E10
fuel
is
widely
available.
Going
beyond
10%
ethanol
generally
requires
special
engineering.
In
the
United
States,
many
flexible-fuel
vehicles
can
accept
up
to
85%
ethanol
(E85).
The
fuel
mixture
is
automatically
detected
by
one
or
more
sensors,
and
once
detected,
the
ECU
tunes
the
timing
of
spark
plugs
and
fuel
injectors
so
that
the
fuel
will
burn
cleanly
in
the
vehicle's
internal
combustion
engine.
Originally,
sensors
in
both
the
fuel-line
and
in
the
exhaust
system
were
used
for
flexible
fuel
vehicles.
In
recent
years,
manufacturers
have
instead
opted
to
use
only
sensors
in
the
exhaust
manifold,
before
the
catalytic
converter,
and
to
eliminate
the
fuel
inline
sensor.
As
E85
is
more
corrosive,
special
fuel
lines
are
also
required.
Some
manufacturers
also
required
a
different
motor
oil
be
used,
but
even
this
requirement
is
now
dropped
for
all
but
one
manufacturer.
In
1998,
General
Motors
Corporation
introduced
their
first
light
truck
(an
S10,
with
2.2L
engine)
in a
flexible-fuel
configuration.
In
1999,
Ford
Motor
Company
introduced
a
flexible-fuel
option
on
its
Ford
Ranger
pickup
trucks,
and
it
has
also
been
an
option
on
the
company's
Taurus
model.
Other
manufacturers
such
as
Mercedes-Benz,
Chrysler/Dodge
(namely
certain
models
of
Caravan)
also
are
E85/Flexible
fuel
vehicles.
Flexible
fuel
vehicles
are
often
identified
as
such
on
the
driver's
side
door,
on
the
inside
of
the
fuel
fill
access
door,
and
by
the
VIN
number.
As
of
2005,
most
existing
vehicles
that
are
available
to
the
public
with
flex-fuel
engines
are
sport-utility
vehicles
or
others
in
the
"light
truck"
class.
Sedans,
wagons,
and
others
are
usually
only
available
in
flexible-fuel
configurations
as
part
of
fleet
vehicle
purchases
by
companies.
Starting
in
2006,
though,
more
widespread
availability
is
planned
for
standard
models
intended
for
non-fleet
sales.
A
1988
federal
law
provides
an
incentive
for
creating
flexible
fuel
vehicles
in
the
form
of
credits
that
can
be
used
to
relax
Corporate
Average
Fuel
Economy
fuel
efficiency
standards.
It
is
alleged
that
this
efficiency
relaxation
has
decreased
overall
US
fleet
efficiency,
thereby
resulting
in
increased
nationwide
fuel
consumption.[1]
Over
4
million
flexible-fuel
vehicles
are
currently
operated
on
the
road
in
America,
although
a
2002
study
found
that
less
than
1%
of
fuel
consumed
by
these
vehicles
is
E85[2].
Flexible
fuel
vehicles
as
identified
by
the
National
Ethanol
Vehicle
Coalition.
Alternative fuels, as
defined by the Energy Policy
Act of 1992 (EPAct), include
ethanol,
natural gas,
propane,
hydrogen,
biodiesel*,
electricity,
methanol, and
p-series fuels. These
fuels are being used
worldwide in a variety of
vehicle applications. Learn
more about how the EPAct
Program works by going to
the
EPAct Web site.
Using
these alternative fuels in vehicles can generally reduce
harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. In addition,
most of these fuels can be domestically produced and
derived from renewable sources.
Use
these alternative fuels pages to learn more about the
fuels, their benefits, and how they can be used in
personal and fleet vehicles. You can
compare alternative fuels properties,
including benefits, environmental impacts, and more.
