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While Hybrids are a great way to boost gas mileage and help the environment, the initial upfront cost of Hybrid technology and the fact that Ford dealers in the Midwest are sold out of Hybrids until early 2009, many people are turning towards Flex Fuel vehicles to lessen the demand for foreign oil. Fox Valley Ford in North Aurora, IL put together some popular questions and answers regarding E85 Flex Fuel Vehicles.
What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is a high octane, liquid, domestic and renewable fuel, produced by the fermentation of plant sugars. In the United States, ethanol is typically produced from corn and other grain products, although in the future it may be economically produced from other biomass resources such as agricultural and forestry wastes or specially grown energy crops.
What is E85?
E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a mixture of up to 85% ethanol by volume. E-85 ethanol is used in engines modified to accept higher concentrations of ethanol. Such flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV) are designed to run on any mixture of gasoline or ethanol with up to 85% ethanol by volume.
Where can I get E85?
As of right now, there are 171 stations in Illinois that offer E85, and this number is expected to double in the next year. Click Here for a complete list in Illinois.
Will using E85 cost more?
The price of E85 is usually over 20% to 30% less than regular gasoline, however, this is slightly negated because it burns 10% to 20% less efficiently than traditional gasoline in most vehicles.
Flex Fuel Vehicles are not optimized to E85, so they experience a 10-15% drop in fuel economy. This will vary based on the way one drives, the air pressure in the tires, and additional driving conditions.
For comparison purposes, aggressive driving habits can result in a 20% loss and low tire pressure can reduce mileage by 6%. Research indicates Ford FFVs experience a 5% horsepower gain on E85. The range of any particular vehicle is dependent on the size of the fuel tank and driving habits. Current Ford Taurus FFVs have an 18-gallon fuel tank and will normally travel 350 miles between refuelings.
Which Vehicles offer a Flex Fuel Engine?
Fox Valley Ford as over 25 vehicles currently in stock that have a Flexible Fuel capable engine. Click here for a list of these vehicles.
Please contact fox Valley Ford in North Aurora, Illinois is you have any other questions.
References:
http://www.foxvalleyfordvehicles.com/e85-flex-fuel-info.aspx
http://e85vehicles.com/e85illinois.htm
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