Posted 8/22/00
New vehicles use energy efficient, Minnesota-grown fuel
Changes in technology are changing the vehicles we drive -- by now, most people have heard about the new hybrid-electric automobiles. But according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, there's another type of vehicle that's quietly driven onto the market, called a "flexible fuel" vehicle.
"In fact, some people might already own a flexible fuel vehicle and not even know it," said Mike Taylor, project consultant with the Department's Energy Division.
The first flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) entered the consumer market in 1992, and it's now a standard feature on some vehicle models starting in 1998. More than a dozen FFV cars, trucks and minivans are available from the major auto manufacturers, and there are thousands of FFVs on the road in Minnesota.
FFVs are designed to operate with either standard gasoline or an ethanol-based fuel called E85 -- a mix of 15 percent gasoline and up to 85 percent ethanol, which is derived from corn and other starch products.
The environmental benefits of E85 are many -- the biodegradable fuel burns cleaner than gasoline, which creates less smog and other pollutants. overall, there are also fewer carbon dioxide emissions, a gas which contributes to global warming.
"It's also a domestically ëgrown' fuel, which means less dependence on oil-producing countries," Taylor said. "And it's a renewable resource -- we can always grow more corn."
The E85 fuel also offers many benefits to the consumer, including an economical price for fuel that, especially recently, is lower than the price of standard gasoline. The fuel blend offers consumers a high-performance octane rating of 100 to 105. And there are less gum-forming chemicals which can lead to corrosion of vehicle parts including valves, pistons and the catalytic converter.
Although some drivers using E85 might see a reduction in gas mileage -- anywhere from 10 to 20 percent, depending on driving conditions -- that loss is offset by the lower price that consumers pay to fill up with E85.
There is no extra cost in the purchase price of a FFV, and there are no unusual maintenance costs for FFV vehicles. No special instructions are required to operate the vehicle -- a computer inside the car determines the blend of fuel being used, whether it's gas, E85 or both, and makes the necessary internal adjustments. As for filling up the tank, there are currently more than 40 gas stations with E85 pumps throughout the state and more are continually being added.
There are several ways to learn if the vehicle you already own or are considering purchasing is a FFV. One option is the check the Department of Commerce website for a full listing of E85 vehicles at www. commerce.state.mn.us (click on the Energy Information Center and select the E85 directory). Or look in the owner's manual ñ all manuals for FFVs explain the use of E85.
More information on FFVs and E85 is available in the Department of Commerce guide, Flexible Fuel Vehicles. For a free copy, call the Department's Energy Information Center at 651-296-5175 in the Twin Cities or statewide 1-800-657-3710.