VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM

Flexible Fuel Vehicles: Providing a Renewable Fuel Choice Today, almost 8 million vehicles on U.S. highways are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). These vehicles can operate on gasoline or blends of gasoline and ethanol up to E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). As a renewable fuel, ethanol offers significant advantages. It is manufactured predominantly in the United States, made from homegrown feedstocks, and is cleaner burning than gasoline.

What is an FFV? California Air Resources Board. Using An FFV, as its name implies, has the flex- noncertified conversions is illegal and ibility of running on more than one type may affect warranties. of fuel. FFVs can be fueled with unleaded For more information on the vehicle gasoline, E85, or any combination of the conversion process, refer to the EPA’s two. Like conventional gasoline vehicles, Updated Certification Guidance for © GM Corp. Flexible fuel vehicles can be fueled with FFVs have a single fuel tank, fuel system, Alternative Fuel Converters on its Web unleaded gasoline, E85, or any combination and engine. And they are available in a site at www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/ of the two. wide range of models such as sedans, cisd0602.pdf. pickups, and minivans. Light-duty FFVs are designed to operate with at least 15% Does E85 affect vehicle gasoline in the fuel, mainly to ensure they performance? What are the costs and start in cold weather. FFVs operating on E85 generally handle benefits of using E85? FFVs are equipped with modified and perform just as well as when fueled Special features enabling vehicles to run components designed specifically to with gasoline. Sensors in the FFV system on E85 can add a minimal cost to their be compatible with ethanol’s chemical automatically prompt adjustments for fuel purchase price. Because they have a properties. In the illustration on the back, composition, so emissions and standard solid performance history, manufactur- the main modifications for FFVs are performance areas such as power and ers provide standard warranties for FFVs described. These modifications ensure acceleration are not significantly affected equal to those for gasoline vehicles at no seamless operation and a long useful life by E85. One difference between E85 additional charge. across a wide range of ethanol blends. and gasoline, however, is fuel economy. Ethanol contains less energy per gal- Fuel, however, may be a cost factor. Clean Cities posts a list of alternative fuel E85’s reduced energy content compared vehicles, including FFVs, on its Alternative lon, which translates into a reduction in fuel economy compared to gasoline. No to gasoline, as explained in the previous Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center section, can increase fuel costs. This cost www.afdc.energy.gov matter what type of fuel is used, however, (AFDC) Web site at . differential is highly variable because it To find out about available models, go to fuel mileage is affected by driving habits, weather, and other factors. is based on ethanol and gasoline price the Vehicles section of the AFDC and use differences. Like gasoline, ethanol prices the Light-Duty Vehicle Search. Standard test results for fuel economy of fluctuate and are set based on market sup- FFVs and their gasoline counterparts are ply and demand. This variability means Can existing vehicles be posted on the combined EPA and that a driver may or may not experience converted to FFVs? U.S. Department of Energy Web site at a difference in overall fuel costs, depend- www.fueleconomy.gov Converting a conventional gasoline . ing on local pump prices. To compare the vehicle to one that runs on E85 is techni- price of fueling with E85 versus gasoline, cally possible. FFV conversions need to use the AFDC’s Flexible Fuel Vehicle www.afdc.energy.gov/ be done by authorized companies and Cost Calculator at afdc/progs/cost_anal.php?0/E85 require certification by the U.S. Environ- . mental Protection Agency (EPA) or the

www.cleancities.energy.gov • March 2010 VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM • March 2010 • Page 2

Although your FFV’s fuel economy on Where are E85 stations E85 is somewhat less than when operating located? on gasoline, a bonus for its use is lower Resources Stations offering E85 continue to increase greenhouse gas emissions. Using the Alternative Fuels and Advanced GREET model, Argonne National Labora- across the nation. As of January 2010, more than 1,900 stations in 44 states sold Vehicles Data Center: tory indicates in “Ethanol, The Complete www.afdc.energy.gov Energy Lifecycle Picture” that greenhouse E85. To find E85 stations throughout the gas emissions are reduced approximately country, check out the Alternative Fuel American Coalition for Ethanol: www.afdc.energy.gov/ 15% when ethanol produced from corn is Station Locator at www.ethanol.org 1 stations, a database maintained by the used. Using E85 also reduces CO2 emis- Clean Cities: sions and provides significant reductions AFDC. This easy-to-use database allows www.cleancities.energy.gov in emissions of many harmful toxics, users to plot routes either across town or across the nation, showing E85 stations including benzene, a known human Fuel Economy: www.fueleconomy.gov carcinogen. However, E85 also increases along the way. emissions of acetaldehyde—a toxic pollut- Growth Energy: www.e85fuel.com 2 ant. Additional testing is being completed 1 Wang, Michael. Ethanol: The Complete Energy to expand the understanding of the emis- Lifecycle Picture, Argonne National Laboratory, Handbook for Handling, Storing, sions impacts of E85. March 2007. and Dispensing E85: www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/ 2 Whitney, Kevin (Southwest Research Institute); publications.html How are FFVs identified? Fernandez, Tony (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency). “Characterization of Cold Temperature Since September 2006, the Energy Policy VOC and PM Emissions from Flex Fuel Vehicles Renewable Fuels Association: Act of 2005 requires auto manufacturers Operating on Ethanol Blends.” Presented at the www.ethanolrfa.org 17th CRC On-Road Vehicle Emissions Workshop, to place a label inside the FFV fuel com- March 26–28, 2007. partment that states the vehicle can run U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: on either E85 or gasoline. Flexible-fuel www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/ altfuels/altfuels.htm capability also is outlined in the owner’s manual and encoded in the vehicle identi- fication number, or VIN.

Flexible Fuel Vehicle Features

Engine calibration updates: Fuel system electrical connections and wiring: Fuel pump assembly: In-tank components Fueling and spark advance calibrations System must be electrically isolated and made of must be made from ethanol-compatible are directed by vehicle computer to materials designed to handle ethanol’s increased materials and sized to handle the control combustion, enable cold start, conductivity and corrosiveness (if exposed to fuel). increased fuel flow needed to compen- and meet emissions requirements. sate for ethanol’s lower energy density.

Internal engine parts: Piston rings, valve seats, valves, and other components must be Fuel filler assembly: made of ethanol-compatible Anti-siphon and spark materials that are designed to arrestor features are minimize the cleansing e ects included to handle of alcohol fuels, which can ethanol’s increased wash lubrication from parts. conductivity.

Fuel tank: Must be made Fuel identifier system: of ethanol-compatible System automatically materials and designed to senses the composition minimize evaporative of the fuel and adjusts emissions from ethanol. engine for varying Fuel injection system: Must be made of ethanol- Fuel rail and fuel lines: Must be made of ethanol-gasoline blends. compatible materials and designed for higher flow ethanol-compatible materials with seals, gaskets, to compensate for ethanol’s lower energy density. and rubber fuel hoses rated for ethanol use.

EERE Information Center Prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463) (NREL), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; NREL is operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including DOE/GO-102010-3002 • March 2010 10% post consumer waste. CLEAN CITIES CLEAN