E85 is a type of fuel that contains a blend of ethanol and gasoline. The exact ratio of ethanol to gasoline can vary, but in the United States, E85 typically refers to a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline by volume. E85 is the most common form of flex fuel available on the market. The percentage of ethanol in E85 depends on the geography and season. E85 has an octane rating higher than that of regular gasoline, which allows it to be used in higher-compression engines that tend to produce more power per unit of displacement than their gasoline counterparts.
E85 is mainly used in flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), which have a fuel delivery system and engine designed to use it. FFVs are capable of running on both ethanol-gasoline blends like E85 and regular gasoline. However, it is not recommended to put E85 fuel in any vehicle other than a flex fuel vehicle, as doing so can ruin the engine and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
E85 is increasingly common in the United States, mainly in the Midwest where corn is a major crop and is the primary source material for ethanol-fuel production. As of July 1, 2014, there were more than 3,300 fuel stations that offered E85 fuel. However, E85 is less available in other regions, especially New England and the Pacific Northwest.
The benefits of E85 include less dependence on foreign oil, fewer air pollutants released into the atmosphere, and higher resistance to engine knocking. However, there are also disadvantages to keep in mind, such as limited use in flex-fuel vehicles, less energy per gallon leading to fewer miles per gallon, and not being readily available in some regions.
