Illinois River Energy - Industry - E85

Can my car use e85?

Most gasoline vehicles are capable of operating on gasoline/ethanol blends with up to 10% ethanol. In fact, some states require the seasonal or year-round use of up to 10% ethanol as an oxygenate additive to gasoline to mitigate ozone formation. These low percentage oxygenate blends are not classified as alternative fuels.

We speak of ethanol vehicles as those specifically manufactured to be capable of running on up to 85% denatured ethanol, 15% gasoline (E85), or any mixture of the two up to the 85% ethanol limit. E85 may be seasonally adjusted in colder climates such that the real proportion of E85 is less than 85% ethanol. Vehicles manufactured for use with E85 are commonly called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Light-duty FFVs include a wide range of vehicles, from sedans to sport utility vehicles to pickup trucks to minivans. FFVs are more common than you may think! FFVs are widely available: The Energy Information Administration estimates that more than four million FFVs are currently on U.S. roadways, although many buyers remain unaware that they have FFVs and may fuel with E85. FFVs were first produced in 1991, so check your owner's manual, visit with your dealer, check the fuel filler door, or see our list of current model year FFVs to determine if you drive a vehicle that can fuel with E85. New models are coming out all the time and there are approximately one million FFVs being produced each year.

Unlike bi-fuel natural gas and propane vehicles that have two unique fueling systems, FFVs have only one fueling system. To qualify as an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) for tax credits, incentives, or to meet requirements for mandated fleets (federal, state, and fuel provider fleets) under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), a vehicle must be capable of using fuel blends up to 85% ethanol.

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