flex-fuel

E85 Ethanol Flex-Fuel Vehicle Comparison

October 22, 2006October 22, 2006 e85 consumer Leave a comment

E85 ETHANOL FLEX-FUEL VEHICLES are designed to operate on gasoline, E85 (a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline), or any mixture of the two fuels. Annual fuel cost is estimated assuming 15,000 miles of travel each year (55% city and 45% highway) and an average fuel cost of $2.20 per gallon for E85, $2.65 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, and $2.85 per gallon for premium unleaded gasoline. The price of ethanol is highly variable from region to region; it is typically lower in the midwestern United States and higher in other areas. Therefore, actual consumer experience may differ significantly from the annual fuel cost estimate presented here.

Fuel economy and driving range values are shown for both gasoline and E85. When operating your FFV on mixtures of gasoline and E85, such as when alternating between using these fuels, your driving range and fuel economy values will be somewhere between those listed for the two fuels, depending on the actual percentage of gasoline and E85 in the tank.


Compact Cars
Mercedes Benz
C230	A-7	2.5/6	14/8	$2,062	E85	310
C230	A-7	2.5/6	19/25	$1,945	P	420
C230	M-6	2.5/6	14/8	$2,062	E85	300
C230	M-6	2.5/6	19/25	$2,035	P	400
Midsize Cars
Chevrolet
Monte Carlo	A-4	3.5/6	16/23	$1,736	E85	320
Monte Carlo	A-4	3.5/6	21/31	$1,590	Gas	425
Chrysler
Sebring	A-4	2.7/6	15/22	$1,835	E85	300
Sebring	A-4	2.7/6	22/30	$1,590	Gas	420
Large Cars
Chevrolet
Impala	A-4	3.5/6	16/23	$1,736	E85	320
Impala	A-4	3.5/6	21/31	$1,658	Gas	400
Ford
Crown Victoria	A-4	4.6/8	13/17	$2,356	E85	270
Crown Victoria	A-4	4.6/8	17/25	$1,988	Gas	380
Lincoln
Town Car	A-4	4.6/8	13/17	$2,356	E85	270
Town Car	A-4	4.6/8	17/25	$1,988	Gas	3 80
Mercury
Grand Marquis	A-4	4.6/8	13/17	$2,356	E85	270
Grand Marquis	A-4	4.6/8	17/25	$1,988	Gas	380
Standard Pickup Trucks Two Wheel Drive
Chevrolet
C15 Silverado 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/440
C15 Silverado 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	16/21	$2,210	Gas	470/610
C1500 Silverado Classic 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/440
C1500 Silverado Classic 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	16/21	$2,337	Gas	440/580
Dodge
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	9/13	$3,000	E85	300
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	14/19	$2,484	Gas	420
Ford
F-150 2WD	A-4	5.4/8	11/14	$2,749	E85	310
F-150 2WD	A-4	5.4/8	15/19	$2,484	Gas	420
GMC
C15 Sierra 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/440
C15 Sierra 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	16/21	$2,210	Gas	470/610
C1500 Sierra Classic 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/440
C1500 Sierra Classic 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	16/21	$2,337	Gas	440/580
Nissan
Titan 2WD	A-5	5.6/8	10/13	$3,000	E85	310
Titan 2WD	A-5	5.6/8	14/18	$2,651	Gas	420

Minivans 2WD
Chevrolet
Uplander FWD	A-4	3.9/6	13/19	$2,201	E85	360
Uplander FWD	A-4	3.9/6	18/25	$1,892	Gas	500
Dodge
Caravan	A-4	3.3/6	TBD	TBD	E85	NA
Caravan	A-4	3.3/6	19/26	$1,892	Gas	420
Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD
Chevrolet
C1500 Avalanche 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/400
C1500 Avalanche 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
C1500 Suburban 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/400
C1500 Suburban 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
C1500 Tahoe 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/440
C1500 Tahoe 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	16/21	$2,210	Gas	440/560
Chrysler
Aspen 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/14	$3,000	E85	300
Aspen 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	14/19	$2,484	Gas	420
Dodge
Durango 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/14	$3,000	E85	300
Durango 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	14/19	$2,484	Gas	420
GMC
C1500 Yukon 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/400
C1500 Yukon 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
C1500 Suburban 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	12/16	$2,538	E85	340/400
C1500 Suburban 2WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
Jeep
Commander 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/14	$3,000	E85	230
Commander 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	15/19	$2,337	Gas	340
Grand Cherokee 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/14	$3,000	E85	230
Grand Cherokee 2WD	A-5	4.7/8	15/20	$2,337	Gas	340
Nissan
Armada 2WD	A-5	5.6/8	10/14	$3,000	E85	310
Armada 2WD	A-5	5.6/8	13/19	$2,651	Gas	420
Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD
Chevrolet
K1500 Avalanche 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	11/15	$2,538	E85	340/400
K1500 Avalanche 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
K1500 Suburban 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	11/15	$2,538	E85	340/400
K1500 Suburban 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
K1500 Tahoe 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	11/15	$2,538	E85	340/440
K1500 Tahoe 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,210	Gas	440/560
Chrysler
Aspen 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/14	$3,000	E85	300
Aspen 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	14/19	$2,484	Gas	420
Dodge
Durango 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	9/13	$3,000	E85	240
Durango 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	14/18	$2,651	Gas	380
GMC
K1500 Yukon 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	11/15	$2,538	E85	340/400
K1500 Yukon 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
K1500 Suburban 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	11/15	$2,538	E85	340/400
K1500 Suburban 4WD	A-4	5.3/8	15/21	$2,337	Gas	440/560
Jeep
Commander 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/13	$3,000	E85	230
Commander 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	15/19	$2,337	Gas	340
Grand Cherokee 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	10/13	$3,000	E85	230
Grand Cherokee 4WD	A-5	4.7/8	15/20	$2,337	Gas	340
Nissan
Armada 4WD	A-5	5.6/8	10/13	$3,000	E85	310
Armada 4WD	A-5	5.6/8	13/19	$2,651	Gas	420

GM Says Hybrids Were Pushed for Public Relations and Politics

July 27, 2006July 27, 2006 e85 consumer Leave a comment

With all the problems faced by GM, one would assume they wouldn’t go ahead and shoot themself’s in the foot with this.

Last week, the struggling automotive giant General Motors admitted with a surprisingly candid admission: They apparently created Hybrid vehicles for the sole purpose of improving public relations and perception.

The unusual statement was given by the company’s vice chairman, Bob Lutz. "Hybrids are technologically of doubtful benefit, and expensive, but necessary from a political and public relations point of view," remarked Lutz.

"The reduction in fuel consumption does not pay for the technological content and cost of the vehicle." Nonetheless, the company is attempting to do what it can to help turn the tide in what is undoubtedly viewed as a desperate financial situation.

Lutz’s other comments consisted of…

"Toyota has said, economically, hybrids make no sense. The reduction in fuel [consumption] does not pay for the technological content and cost of the vehicle so therefore economically it remains fairly nonsensical, so that’s the left-brain analytical argument.

The right brain is it’s the popular thing to do, many people believe that if we all drove hybrids the world would suddenly get cooler again and then it’s the patriotic thing to do because if you drive a hybrid you will no longer be funding the Arab terrorists, and so forth.

So, with all those beliefs out there, you have to do a hybrid for public policy reasons."

Lutz believes hybrids are just not cost effective. But then again, GM should consider why they have lost billions of dollars in the past few years.

e-85 Ethanol stations on the rise – updated list of renewable fuels, a state by state list

June 16, 2006June 16, 2006 e85 consumer Leave a comment

Near the end of April, the USA had 619 e85 ethanol fueling stations. Today the number of e85 ethanol fueling stations has grown to 637. Even though there may be 18 more stations out there, the ethanol stations only seem to be poping up in states in Minnesota and Illinois, leaving the rest of the nation with sparse coverage. South Carolina actually was the big gainer for the past couple of months with 5 new stations, nearly a 14% increase in the number of ethanol stations in the state. Not too bad, however it is still concerning to see 14 states that have 0 ethanol stations.

Below you will find a listing of Alternative Fuel Station counts by state and fuel type, CNG – Compressed Natural Gas, E85 – 85% Ethanol, LPG – Propane, ELEC – Electric, BD – Biodiesel, HY – Hydrogen and LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas.

As of 6/16/2006

STATE	CNG	E85	LPG	ELEC	BD	HY	LNG	Totals
Alabama	1	1	74	0	1	0	0	77
Alaska	0	0	11	0	0	0	0	11
Arizona	31	5	68	13	4	1	4	126
Arkansas	4	0	57	0	0	0	0	61
California	179	3	257	406	20	9	30	904
Colorado	21	11	68	2	19	0	0	121
Connecticut	11	0	19	3	1	0	0	34
Delaware	1	0	3	0	3	0	0	7
DC	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	2
Florida	22	2	70	7	4	0	0	105
Georgia	16	6	48	0	17	0	0	87
Hawaii	0	0	4	10	3	0	0	17
Idaho	8	1	28	0	2	0	1	40
Illinois	11	102	73	0	11	0	0	197
Indiana	11	19	42	0	10	0	0	82
Iowa	0	38	29	0	8	0	0	75
Kansas	3	8	49	0	4	0	0	64
Kentucky	0	5	31	0	5	0	0	41
Louisiana	8	0	14	0	0	0	0	22
Maine	1	0	6	0	2	0	0	9
Maryland	13	4	19	0	3	0	0	39
Massachusetts	9	0	28	27	1	0	0	65
Michigan	15	6	83	0	13	2	0	119
Minnesota	3	205	34	0	2	0	0	244
Mississippi	0	0	40	0	6	0	0	46
Missouri	6	28	88	0	3	0	0	125
Montana	2	5	31	0	6	0	0	44
Nebraska	1	26	23	0	1	0	0	51
Nevada	15	1	25	0	10	1	0	52
New Hampshire	3	0	14	10	10	0	0	37
New Jersey	15	0	11	0	1	0	0	27
New Mexico	8	3	55	0	2	0	0	68
New York	37	6	28	0	4	0	0	75
North Carolina	11	9	65	0	36	0	0	121
North Dakota	4	23	16	0	0	0	0	43
Ohio	12	7	75	0	15	0	0	109
Oklahoma	53	4	72	1	5	0	0	135
Oregon	14	1	34	4	14	0	0	67
Pennsylvania	31	1	63	0	11	0	0	106
Rhode Island	6	0	4	2	0	0	0	12
South Carolina	5	36	34	2	35	0	0	112
South Dakota	0	35	22	0	0	0	0	57
Tennessee	6	5	51	0	8	0	0	70
Texas	23	4	627	2	11	0	2	669
Utah	63	3	27	0	3	0	0	96
Vermont	1	0	7	1	5	0	0	14
Virginia	12	2	26	0	10	0	0	50
Washington	14	2	60	0	18	0	0	94
West Virginia	2	2	8	0	0	0	0	12
Wisconsin	18	14	56	0	2	0	0	90
Wyoming	11	4	33	0	13	0	0	61
Totals by Fuel:	742	637	2710	490	362	14	37	4992