| Flex
Fuel: Will You Bite?
by: Matthew C. Keegan
FFV:
flexible fuel vehicle. Are you interested in reducing your
fuel costs, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and stopping
our dependency on foreign oil? If so, ethanol may be the
way to go. E85 is the "new" fuel source giving
drivers an alternative to overpriced hybrids and clanky
diesels. |
E85
does affect fuel mileage for the typical vehicle with fuel
economy dropping as much as 10% depending on the model.
At face value this can look like a bad thing until you consider
the following:
1. E85
fuel prices are much lower than straight gasoline. Depending
on the station, as much as one third lower. So, even with
the reduced fuel economy many drivers are saving as much
as 25% on their weekly fuel bills. |
| All
the talk about gas-electric hybrid vehicles is overlooking
another area where fuel economy can be realized. No, I am
not talking about diesel engines and I am not even thinking
about hydrogen power. Instead, corn powered vehicles are
coming into their own.
That’s
right, ethanol, a fuel that has a history going back a full
century, may be the fuel of the future. Is ethanol a good
choice for a fuel source? I’ll let you be the judge
of that!
Back
during the days that Henry Ford was building cars, he designed
his Model “T” to run on ethanol, a fuel that is
typically derived from corn. His idea was to give the driver
a choice between gasoline and this particular alternative
source of energy. Historically low gas prices however, made
the need for ethanol pretty much a moot point at that time.
Why fuel up with ethanol when gas was being sold for a quarter
or less?
For
its part, the U.S. government has long held that ethanol
is a good fuel source and has mandated that vehicles built
since the early 1980s, have the capacity to run on E10 ethanol
–a blend consisting of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline.
Since the 1990s another type of ethanol, E85, has been receiving
plenty of press coverage. This fuel is made up of 85% ethanol
and just 15% gasoline. That’s right, a truly alternative
fuel source derived from corn.
With
E85, only specially designated models can run on this type
of fuel. No, they aren’t some odd looking vehicles
like the Honda Insight, instead they are every day vehicles
including the Dodge Durango, Mercedes C240, Chevy Silverado,
and other select models specially outfitted to accept E85.
These FFVs, or flexible fuel vehicles, are distinctive models
that can run on E85 or on unleaded gasoline. They can also
run on any blend of ethanol/gasoline from an 85% ethanol/gasoline
mix on down. |
2.
E85 burns clean. Remember, this is a chiefly corn based
product. With only a minimal amount of gasoline used, E85
is better for the environment as it reduces greenhouse gas
emissions.
3. E85
reduces our dependency on foreign oil. The biggest problem
in America today when it comes to energy consumption is
our overdependence on foreign oil. E85 is developed in the
U.S. thanks to our abundant and extensive corn belt. By
using E85, you help farmers in America’s heartland
instead of oil rich sheiks in the Middle East.
Currently,
in some areas of the country E85 stations are few and far
between. However, as the number of E85 models being built
continues to grow and consumers accept E85 as an alternate
fuel source, more stations will be built. E85 availability
is high in the middle of the country so motorists have more
choice in there. Regardless of pump availability, a FFV
can run on straight gasoline when E85 is not available.
So,
will you take the “bite” and purchase an FFV?
Perhaps a few years ago you wouldn’t have considered
one, but with rapidly rising fuel prices, worries over global
warming, and frustration over our dependency on foreign
oil, an FFV is worthy of everyone’s consideration.
About
The Author
Copyright 2006 – Matt Keegan is a full time freelance
writer covering automotive market trends as well as exciting
automotive models. To keep your car running well, shop the
Discount Maximum Auto Parts store for a truly great variety
of automotive parts: http://www.maximumautoparts.com.
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