With the increasing problem of climate change and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alternative vehicle options to the traditional gasoline-powered engine are on a rapid rise, from electric vehicles to hybrids to alternative fuel options. One option available today is flex-fuel vehicles, or FFVs, which are cars with engines that use flex fuel rather than traditional gasoline. Flex fuel is composed of a blend of both gasoline and ethanol rather than just pure gasoline, and it offers plenty of benefits, from environmental to financial and beyond.
Today, we take a closer look at flex fuel, including what exactly flex fuel is, the differences between flex fuel and regular gasoline, the capabilities of flex fuel, and the FFV options that Ford currently offers in its expansive alternative-fuel lineup.
What Is Flex Fuel, and What Benefits Does it Offer?
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Unlike pure gasoline, flex fuel is a blend of ethanol and gasoline. There are many benefits to using ethanol with gasoline as opposed to gasoline alone. First, ethanol is sustainably produced from sources such as corn and cane sugar. Burning ethanol rather than gasoline also significantly reduces carbon emissions. In addition, ethanol is cheaper to purchase than gasoline. As a result, many manufacturers have begun building their engines to accommodate flex fuel in addition to pure gasoline. Blends are indicated by the percentage of ethanol, with pure gasoline referred to as E0.
An 85% ethanol/15% gasoline blend is referred to as E85 and is the most common type of flex fuel. In addition to its environmental and financial benefits, E85 also provides at least the same, if not more, horsepower than gasoline and has a higher octane rating. Because engines require slightly more E85 than gasoline to go the same distance (1.3 gallons of E85 for every gallon of gasoline), they must be built to accommodate this higher volume, as well as to withstand the corrosive qualities of ethanol. Therefore, E85 should not be used in regular engines.
Flex Fuel Engines vs. Regular Engines: What's the Difference?
Flex fuel engines were first introduced to the market in the 90s with the 1994 Ford Taurus. Today's flex-fuel engines are constructed in such a way that any flex-fuel blend can be used, whether it's E0, E85, or something in between. Electronic sensors are now built into flex-fuel combustion chambers. These sensors detect how much ethanol is present and automatically adjust fuel injection and spark timing accordingly, making the use of alternative fuel effortless on the driver's part.
Ford Models With Flex-Fuel Options: Pickup Trucks, SUVs, and More
As the first manufacturer to introduce mass-produced FFVs, Ford offers a continually expanding range of both personal and commercial vehicles in its lineup that can accommodate flex-fuel blends, beginning with 2021 models. Some of the models Ford currently offers that can use flex fuel are:
- Ford F-150 Pickup.
- Ford Explorer.
- E-Series.
- F-Series Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab.
- Ford Transit Cargo Van.
- Ford Connect Passenger Wagon.
The Performance Capabilities and Fuel Efficiency of Ethanol
Though you might think FFVs would perform less impressively than vehicles powered by pure gasoline, in fact, the opposite is true. Flex fuel has the potential to produce even more horsepower and torque pounds per foot compared with regular gasoline, as it burns cooler. As a result, flex fuel is better for the environment, and it also helps improve your vehicle's performance.
Flex fuel is technically considered to provide less fuel efficiency than pure gasoline because the engine requires more of it to produce the same amount of power. However, ethanol, as a much more affordable fuel than gasoline, is actually cheaper to buy, with the reduction in price easily making up for the need to use slightly more fuel.
How To Tell if Your Vehicle Uses Flex Fuel
FFVs are becoming quite common in today's vehicle market, so you may already be driving a flex-fuel vehicle and be unaware of it. The indications that your vehicle is an FFV may not be super obvious, but there are a few clues you can look for, such as a yellow gas cap or ring or a label on the gas door. If you discover that your vehicle is already capable of using flex fuel, your switch to an alternative fuel can be that much easier.
The Availability of Flex-Fuel Vehicles and What's To Come in the Future
As FFVs become an increasingly popular option, more and more of these vehicles will begin to become available on the market, in addition to an increase in the availability of flex fuel at fuel pumps. Ford's FFV lineup has grown tremendously over the past three years and will only continue to expand in the years to come. Feel free to check out how to custom order your own FFV from us here at All American Ford.
Other Alternative Fuel Options: Compressed Natural Gas, Propane Autogas, and Biodiesel
In addition to flex fuel, Ford offers several other alternative advanced fuel options. Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline or diesel. Another option is propane autogas, also called liquefied propane autogas — a nontoxic fuel option that is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, including propane. Lastly, biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based or animal fat-based diesel fuel that burns cleaner than regular diesel.
It's Time To Start Your Engines
If flex fuel, FFVs, or another alternative fuel option has piqued your interest, we'd love to introduce you to some FFVs in person here at our dealership in Springville, Alabama. From brand-new cars to high-quality used vehicles, we offer many options to choose from, whether you're looking for a sedan, an SUV, a pickup truck, or a different vehicle entirely. If you have a question about flex fuel, please contact us online, and one of our friendly team members will be happy to get back to you with more information and assistance. We look forward to serving you.