What is E85?
E85 is composed of 85 percent ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and just 15 percent petroleum. E85 is designed for use in flexible fuel vehicles, referred to as "FFVs." According to the Energy Information Administration, there are over four million light-duty flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) in the United States. These are operated by private citizens as well as business and government fleets. FFVs may fuel with either E85 and/or gasoline interchangeably. Most FFVs are still fueled with gasoline, but the availability of E85 and FFVs is expected to increase significantly in the next few years. Driven by environmental, economic, and energy security concerns, the availability and use of E85 is growing nationally.
E85, like gasoline and diesel fuels, is seasonally adjusted to ensure proper starting and performance in different geographic locations. For example, E85 sold during colder months often contains 70% ethanol and 30% petroleum to produce the necessary vapor pressure for starting in cold temperatures. An E85 fueling site operator typically cannot carry over summer-blend E85, but rather must "blend down" any remaining summer fuel to make an E70 mixture. This may be done with relative ease by adding additional gasoline to the storage tank. There is no concern with carrying over winter-blend E70 into warmer months as flexible fuel vehicles operate on any blend of E85 and gasoline during warmer months. For retail service stations, seasonal fuel adjustments are handled automatically at the wholesale fuel terminal.
