Reducing Oil Consumption with Flex Fuel Vehicles
Using Fuel Ethanol Reduces Gasoline Prices and Emissions
Feb 9, 2009
Flex Fuel Vehicles are very similar to gasoline only vehicles apart from a few modifications to the fuel system and engine. Flex Fuel Vehicles can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline from regular unleaded up to E85; a mix of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol.
Flex Fuel Vehicle History
Since the 1980’s Flex Fuels Vehicles have been produced. Yet the earliest Flex Fuel Vehicles have been produced as far back as 1908. Some older models do not have any badges and can only be identified as a Flex Fuel Vehicle from the filler cap or in the owner’s manual.
Early Flex fuel vehicles used sensors in the fuel line to detect the amount of alcohol in the fuel. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) adjusts the timing advance and injector pulse. Currently most Flex Fuel Vehicles do not have sensors to detect the amount of alcohol in the fuel. PCM monitors the fuel trim and O2 sensor after refueling to estimate the alcohol content after refueling.
Vehicles can be converted to Flex Fuel Vehicles but there may be issues with modifications complying to EPA standards and may void the vehicle’s warranty. This should be taken into consideration before making any vehicle modifications.
Fuel Economy of Flex Fuel Vehicles
Ethanol has lower energy content than gasoline. Because of this fact there is much debate over the effects on fuel economy of Flex Fuel Vehicles. E85 can reduce gas mileage from 5 – 25%; although, this can vary between models and between manufacturers.
Ethanol has much higher octane content than gasoline. If E85 was more available it would be much more likely that dedicated E85 vehicles would be produced which could get the same fuel economy as regular gasoline if not higher.
This is because the high octane level of ethanol could be taken advantage of by raising the compression ratio which would create more power. The problem is that Flex Fuel Vehicle must be able to run on regular gasoline as well as E85. The higher compression could cause problem with detonation if regular gasoline was used.
The Price of E85
Ethanol is commonly known as ethyl alcohol, a grain alcohol produced from distilling crops. The price of E85 is determined by the supply, the location and the market conditions of Ethanol. Yet in many places, E85 has lower prices than regular unleaded. Using Ethanol also reduces the dependency on foreign oil because it is produced domestically; this is a huge advantage of ethanol.
According to “Renewable Fuels Association” (www.EthanolRFA.org), “Using ethanol in the U.S. fuel marketplace helps lower gasoline prices by expanding gasoline supplies and reducing the need for importing expensive, high-octane, petroleum-based gasoline components or more crude oil from unstable parts of the world like the Middle East.”
In the October 2008, "Alternative Fuel Price Report" from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nationwide Average for Regular Gasoline was $3.04 and E85 was $2.82 (per gallon). The price of E85 does vary depending on location, demand and market conditions.
Emissions of E85
E85 reduces the amount of evaporative emissions because it is less volatile than gasoline and also reduces Carbon Monoxide emissions. Standard emissions testing on Flex Fuel Vehicles running on E85 found a significant decrease in smog-forming oxides of nitrogen.
Although E85 reduces certain emissions, a study directed by Stanford Associate Professor, Mark Jacobson, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, explains that using E85 could result in higher ozone related mortality, hospitalization and asthma by about 4% in the United States.
It is difficult to determine of the effects that E85 on health and the environment until more data has been collected through proper scientific research. Today in the United States there are over 6 million Flex Fuel Vehicles on the road. And the numbers are growing. With more and more ethanol being used more evidence will be available to support the current claims.
Another Alternative Fuel Vehicle is the Natural Gas Vehicle (NGVs). NGVs are the cleanest burning Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) on the road. Natural Gas Vehicles reduce some vehicle emissions like NOx up to almost 90%.
