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All About Flex Fuel Cars
Flexible fuel, or flex-fuel, vehicles feature specialized engines that can utilize two different fuels, often in a mixture. In the United States, this commonly refers to a vehicle utilizing the new E85 technology. These vehicles use a fuel mixture that is 85% ethanol, a biofuel made from corn, and 15% standard gasoline.
The main advantage of this mixture is that it reduces the vehicle’s dependence on nonrenewable resources. E85 fuel utilizes feedstock for 85% of its composition. In the United States, the most commonly used feedstock is corn, as it is the cheapest and most abundant. However, E85 fuel can utilize a variety of materials for feedstock from potatoes to wheat, sugar cane to beets, depending on what is cheap and available.
The ethanol mixture fuel can also cheaper than standard gasoline. While E85 fuels are cheaper at the pump than standard gasoline, the mileage vehicles can achieve with them is significantly reduced. Informal tests have found that in stop-and-go city driving the loss in mileage is negligible and E85 fueled cars end up cheaper. However, the same tests show that when spending significant time on the highway, the loss in mileage makes E85 slightly more expensive.
Another advantage of using E85 vehicles is that they produce fewer harmful emissions. In fact, E85 vehicles produce an average of 50% fewer emissions than standard fuel cars and trucks. In addition to this, buying E85 fuel supports domestic agricultural industry. If you are concerned about the environmental or economic impacts of driving, a flexfuel vehicle is an excellent option.
At present, availability of E85 fuel is the major obstacle to more widespread acceptance. E85 refilling stations are, at the moment, not very common throughout the country. However, the fuel is becoming easier to find all the time, particularly in places where a lot of corn is already grown, like in mid-western states. As more vehicles are released that can utilize the E85 fuel mixture, it is expected to become more common across the country.
If you are eager to try a flexfuel vehicle, but the availability of fueling stations in your area is limited, there is no need to worry. Flexfuel cars can use regular gasoline as well as an E85 mixture of up to 85% ethanol. If you are looking to buy a new car than this versatility, and the rapidly growing popularity of E85 fuel, make excellent reasons to consider a flexfuel vehicle.
It is important to note that a standard car engine cannot utilize the E85 mixture. While most modern engines can handle a mixed fuel up to 10% ethanol, any higher percentage can cause serious damage to the vehicle.
As car companies begin to manufacture more E85 vehicles, gasoline prices continue to rise, and customer demand increases, the demand for E85 rentals also increases. While hybrid rental vehicles have become easier to find, E85 rentals are still rare.
Enterprise Rent a Car established itself as the first company willing to develop an E85 fleet for rental. Offering a few vehicles in select branches, the company plans to expand the program as demand and fuel availability increases.
If you are looking to rent a greener vehicle, especially in the mid-west, a flex fuel, E85, vehicle may be an exciting opportunity to experience cutting edge automotive technology. While availability is still very limited, the flex fuel vehicles represent one step towards a reduced reliance on gasoline and greener driving future.
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