Flexible Fuel Vehicles

A flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) operates using both gasoline and an alternative fuel such as E85 (ethanol) from a single tank. The vehicles have been around since the first big ethanol push in the 1980s.

The early model FFVs were still gas-happy. However, many states now require an ethanol/gasoline blend, especially during certain times of the year, to make the combustion cycle more efficient and cut down on toxic emissions.

An FFV has a standard gasoline engine, with a few tweaks, that allow the additional fuel type to fire the pistons, too. Since the design has advanced into the era of the alternative fuel, the engine now runs either solely on E85 or gas. More than three million of these FFVs now travel the roads. If E85 is readily offered at a station in your area, you may rarely need gasoline. However, if you find yourself low on fuel and clueless to where a refueling station might exist, you can simply fill the tank with regular unleaded gas.

FFV Cons

Even though E85 sounds like it's all that and a bag of chips, there are a couple of drawbacks. For one, E85 does not provide the mileage per gallon (MPG) that gasoline does. The difference may not worry the average green consumer that much, considering the other benefit: lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Still, many critics of the fuel say the benefit is not that substantial. On average, an FFV running solely on E85 prevents about a ton and a half of crud from seeping into the air per year. Depending on which side of the fence you sit, this fact may seem significant, or you may see little difference between six tons and seven tons.

Do You Drive an FFV?

Flex fuel vehicles are becoming as common as Starbucks, so you may actually drive one right now and not even know it. To check if your car takes E85, you could do something as simple as look at your owner's manual. If that's long gone, check out the engine size and the eighth digit of the vehicle identification number (VIN). Check the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition to decipher the mystery; you could start filling up with E85 tomorrow and be on your way to protecting the planet.

Convinced?

If you are in the market for an FFV, check out Fuel Economy to do a complete analysis on the available makes and models. Here, compare E85 MPG to gasoline MPG, and read about emissions issues. After comparing all the features you may even change your mind and buy biodiesel.