flex fuel
-
Though the Environmental Protection Agency has already ruled on ethanol-blended gasoline mixtures for 2018, that hasn't stopped ethanol advocates from pushing for a higher 30-percent blend for non-flex-fuel vehicles. The latest call for ethanol comes from corn-state ethanol refiners, farmers, and an ethanol-producer trade association, all of whom want the EPA to take a good, long look at raising the approved blend for standard "gasoline" from E15 to E30. Meanwhile, on the other side of the debate, two bills making their way through Congressional committees would cap ethanol blends at E10 for...
-
Proposed ethanol cuts bring EPA up against Iowa's powerful politician
Following years of debate, the EPA said earlier this month it will study the possibilities of cutting the amount of ethanol in the United States' gasoline supply. Since 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has required growing amounts of ethanol to be blended into U.S. fuel supplies, with...
Sean Szymkowski -
EPA to study cutting amount of ethanol in U.S. gasoline
Since 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard has required increasing levels of ethanol in gasoline blends sold in the U.S. Most fuel stations across the United States no longer offer pure gasoline, with E10—a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline—prevailing. After years of...
Sean Szymkowski -
Is ethanol-free gasoline heading for the end of the road?
The EPA expects demand for ethanol-free gasoline to gradually dissipate.
Stephen Edelstein -
EPA boosts required 2017 ethanol volume above expected level
The EPA increased the amount of ethanol to be blended with gasoline for 2017.
Stephen Edelstein -
Bill to cap ethanol in U.S. fuel supply gains momentum
A House bill aims to cap the amount of ethanol blended with the U.S. fuel supply.
Stephen Edelstein -
At least in North America, ethanol is a contentious fuel. A decade ago, it was seen as a homegrown and carbon-neutral way to use less gasoline—and federal legislation mandated that increasing volumes be blended into U.S. fuel supplies. Much debate followed over using "food for fuel," its supposed carbon neutrality and the footprint of the agriculture required to produce it, its impact on older engines, and other issues. DON'T MISS: EPA proposes to add more ethanol blends to 'Flex Fuel' category But suppose it were possible to produce ethanol chemically, using as a feedstock a substance...
-
EPA proposes to add more ethanol blends to 'Flex Fuel' category
An EPA proposal would add more ethanol blends for "flex-fuel" vehicles.
Stephen Edelstein -
Why Isn't The 2016 Chevy Volt A Flex-Fuel Plug-In Hybrid That Can Use E85 Ethanol?
The 2016 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid has received numerous accolades, including this site's Best Car To Buy 2016 Award. It's better-looking, quicker, quieter, and has a significantly longer all-electric range of 53 miles. It is not, however, certified to use E85, the fuel blend containing 85...
John Voelcker -
A Brief History Of Ethanol In Brazil
While many North Americans may not know it, Brazil presently leads the world in deploying biofuels for road vehicles. Specifically, a majority of cars sold in Brazil--especially lower-priced high-volume models built in the country--can run either on gasoline or pure ethanol. The modern history...
John Voelcker -
Driving Entirely On Ethanol: Brazil’s Volkswagen Gol Flex-Fuel Vehicle
What’s it like to drive on pure ethanol, known as E100, without a drop of gasoline in the car? In the case of the Brazilian Volkswagen Gol, it’s quite unremarkable. Brazil’s most popular small car for 27 years starts, performs, and otherwise behaves just like a gasoline-fueled...
John Voelcker -
E85 By The Numbers: One Station In 50 For One Car In 20
The number of E85 fueling stations has grown significantly over the past few years, but they're still few and far between.
Stephen Edelstein -
The EPA plans to cut 1.4 billion gallons from its 2014 renewable-fuels target.
-
Alt-Fuel Vehicles Star In Louisiana's Latest Political Drama
There's a storm a-brewin' in Louisiana over alternative vehicle tax credits. (There's a sentence that didn't end like you'd expect.) In 2009, the state legislature passed Act 469 (PDF), which offers a tax credit of up to $3,000 to anyone who purchases a low-emissions vehicle that runs on...
Richard Read -
Flex-Fuel Ferrari? So What? Makes No Difference At All
Ferraris aren't typically known for their green credentials. In fact, they tend to be known for everything but green credentials: High performance, for example. High-revving V-8 and V-12 engines. Being painted very, very red. Not being painted green. Most methods of extracting greater power from...
Antony Ingram -
E85 Now Harder To Find Than Electric Car Charging: Here’s Why
Despite millions of dollars of commitment from automakers like Ford and General Motors, finding somewhere to fill your flex-fuel car with E85 is now officially harder than finding somewhere to recharge a plug-in car. In fact, according to Bloomberg, the number of electric car charging stations in...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
U.S. Senate Votes To End Ethanol Subsidies; They'll Continue Anyhow
The once-unthinkable actually happened last Thursday: The U.S. Senate voted 73-27 to abolish a 45-cents-per-gallon subsidy to the U.S. ethanol industry. Immediately. Because the amendment to end ethanol credits is attached to a stalled economic development bill, however, it will have little...
John Voelcker -
Ethanol Wars: Farm Senators Want More E85 Flex-Fuel Cars By 2016
Let's be real: How many of you out there have ever driven a single mile on E85 ethanol fuel? Very, very, very few of you, most likely. The fuel composed of 85 percent ethanol blended with 15 percent gasoline is available only in a handful of Midwestern states. Yet a bill now under consideration by...
John Voelcker -
Following its October approval of E15 gasoline for 2007 or newer cars, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to announce today that it will expand the approval to cars from the 2001 through 2006 model year as well. E15 contains 15 percent ethanol, half again as high as the legal maximum today of 10 percent in E10 gasoline. Automakers sue to block You're not likely to see E15 showing up immediately at your neighborhood gas station, though. In December, a group including every major automaker selling cars in the U.S. launched a lawsuit asking that the first approval be overturned...
-
Kia Soul Flex Is Korea’s First Flex-Fuel Vehicle
At this week’s 2010 Sao Paulo Auto Show in Brazil Kia has taken the wraps off its new Soul Flex hatchback, which the automaker claims is the first vehicle of its kind to be launched by a South Korean brand. The Kia Soul Flex, if you haven’t already guessed, is a fully flex-fuel capable...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
More Ethanol In Gasoline: 'Minimal Risk' To Old Cars, Study Says
We've written before about just how worried automakers are at proposals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increase the ethanol content of pump gasoline from 10 to 12 or even 15 percent. They fear it will damage older cars whose engines and fuel systems were never designed to handle...
John Voelcker -
More Ethanol in Gasoline Bad For Existing Cars, Say Automakers
Adding more ethanol to gasoline may help the U.S. meet a Congressional mandate to use more of the renewable fuel, but it could damage many of the cars now on the road, say automakers. Last year, U.S. vehicle manufacturers went public with their alarm that the EPA might increase the permissible...
John Voelcker -
Ford Doubles Down on Flex-Fuel Vehicles; Do Carbuyers Care?
It must be something in the water. Yesterday, we learned that every 2011 Buick Regal will offer flex-fuel capability as standard. Now it's Ford's turn; the company announced today that it will have doubled the number of flex-fuel models it builds by the end of the year, fulfilling a 2006 pledge...
John Voelcker -
All 2011 Buick Regals To Receive Flex-Fuel Capability This Fall
The first batch of 2011 Buick Regals that are set to go on sale this quarter will come with a gasoline-only 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine but eventually a new 2.0-liter turbo mill will be offered, by which time both engines will feature E85 flex-fuel capability. The 2.0-liter turbo will arrive in...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran