About E85 and flex fuels
By far, the most common “flex fuel” is E85, a high-level ethanol alternative to gasoline that is specifically intended for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). E85 contains between 51% and 83% ethanol, depending on the geography where and season when it is sold. In hotter summertime temperatures, E85’s higher ethanol content helps reduce evaporative emissions that cause ground-level ozone pollution (smog).
E85 is sold out of specially marked dispensers and fueling hoses that are sometimes bright yellow. There are more than 5,000 retail E85 stations in 42 states as well as many public and private vehicle fleet fueling sites. Minnesota has long been the national leader in use of E85 and number of fueling stations. More than 450 Minnesota retailers currently sell E85 to FFV-driving customers.
Some station owners may also offer additional flex fuels, such as E20, E30, or E50. These mid-level ethanol blends are also intended for use in FFVs. Currently, only E10 and Unleaded 88 E15 are approved for use in standard (non-FFV) gasoline vehicles.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
E85 and mid-level blends are for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) only. FFVs adjust to whatever blend is in the tank from 0% to 85% ethanol. They can be operated on any combination of regular unleaded gasoline and “flex fuel” blends.
Automakers build FFVs with slight modifications such as additional sensors and programming that allow the engine to adapt to whatever fuel is in the tank. There are more than 350,000 FFVs in Minnesota and about 21 million on the road in the United States. Often, FFVs can be identified by a window decal, external badge, or a yellow fuel cap. If unsure, the engine code of a car’s vehicle identification number or VIN will help you determine if yours is an FFV or not.
E85 & vehicle fuel efficiency
All motor fuels differ by energy content. Diesel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline, and gasoline is more energy dense than both propane and compressed natural gas used as motor fuels. On a per gallon basis, E85 contains less energy than gasoline. Generally, that lower energy density translates to a 15%-25% decrease in fuel economy, depending on the FFV model, driving conditions, and your driving habits.
However, as all wise FFV drivers know, you must remember price per gallon! That’s when E85 can really shine. Using E85 may reduce miles per gallon, but it can also lower price per gallon and cost per mile.
You may have noticed E85 priced significantly less than gasoline — particularly during gasoline price shocks like those we experienced in 2022. E85 prices of $1 (or greater) LESS than gasoline were common.
Also remember FFVs are not optimized to E85 today – they are designed to be “flexible.” The manufacturers know many FFVs will operate only on gasoline, and they are built that way. When engines are optimized to run on high-ethanol blends — IndyCar Racing is a great example — impressive horsepower and performance result!
The benefits of using E85
Better for the environment. Ethanol is a renewable biofuel made from plant materials. It’s also produced right here in Minnesota, a state with zero fossil fuel resources… where our gasoline is predominantly sourced from Tar Sands oil. As a high-blend ethanol fuel, Minnesota E85 is sourced here, close to home, and with less exposure to petroleum compounds including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene.
E85 can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions as well as evaporative and tailpipe pollutants. Using E85 can cut your driving carbon footprint in half. And E85 is less volatile, which means less evaporative emissions leading to ground-level ozone (smog) on hot summer days. At the tailpipe, E85 can help reduce carbon monoxide and air toxics of the highest potency.
Lower pump prices. E85 is typically priced considerably less than 87 octane regular gasoline. And when considering E85’s high octane rating, it is priced dramatically less than premium grade gasolines of 92 or 93 octane.
Better for your engine. As race car drivers can attest, E85 burns much cleaner and cooler than gasoline. A clean engine performs better and lasts longer.
E85 contains the highest octane rating of any U.S. motor fuel sold to the public — a rating that can be near or greater than 100 and well above premium grade gasolines. Smaller, higher compression engines are becoming more common every model year as automakers seek to improve fuel economy. And higher compression engines can take advantage of higher-octane fuels.