E85 gas, also known as flex fuel, is a high-level combination of ethanol and gasoline that consists of 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol blended with gasoline. The percentage of ethanol depends on the geography and season. E85 is the most common form of flex fuel available on the market, and its readily available in the Midwest region of the United States, where ethanol is corn-based. However, its less available in other regions, especially New England and the Pacific Northwest. E85 should only be put in certain vehicles, called flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), which have a fuel delivery system and engine that are designed to use it. Many drivers already own an FFV and do not even know it.
E85 has some pros and cons. The pros include less dependence on foreign oil, fewer air pollutants released into the atmosphere, and higher resistance to engine knocking. On the other hand, the disadvantages to keep in mind include being limited to use in flex-fuel vehicles and less energy per gallon, leading to fewer miles per gallon.
E85 has higher octane than regular gasoline, which means that it is better for a cars engine than regular gasoline. It is also a cleaner fuel with lesser harmful emissions. However, E85 is not as widely available in some parts of the United States, and there are over 3,900 E85 stations throughout the country.
