What Is E85?

E85 is a motor fuel blend of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline manufactured for use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs). Unlike Methanol, Ethanol, in its un-denatured form, is regularly used for human consumption; in every alcohol adult beverage. As an automobile fuel, a denaturant, or "bittering agent" is added to ethanol, prevent human consumption. Ethanol burns cleaner and has a higher octane rating than regular unleaded gasoline. E85 is a renewable energy source produced in the United States. E85 is an alternative fuel as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy. It is designed for use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV's).

Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) are designed to run on E85, 100% gasoline, or any combination in between. So, if you have a half tank of regular and want to fill up with E85, there's no problem. A special sensor in the FFV determines the ratio of gas to ethanol and adjusts the ignition timing and fuel flow rate for whatever mixture is in your tank.

The special components in FFV fuel systems allow them to run on mixtures of ethanol and regular unleaded gasoline up to an 85% concentration of ethanol. Other than these special fuel system components, FFVs look and drive just like regular gasoline-only vehicles.

As in the case of gasoline, the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has developed E85 fuel specifications to ensure proper starting, operation, and safety. (ASTM D5798-99 Standard Specification for Fuel Ethanol for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines.)

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 must contain 70% ethanol and 30% petroleum to produce the necessary vapor pressure for starting in cold temperatures. An E85 fueling site operator 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 in during warmer times. For retail service stations, seasonal fuel adjustments are handled automatically at the wholesale fuel terminal.

Western Ethanol Company LLC | PO Box 7733 | Placentia, CA 92871 | 714-854-1333 | Fax 714-854-1330