E85 = too good to be true???

[wilfred]

While reading an article on the new Tahoe, it mentioned something about it can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol. Don't laugh at me but I had no clue what is E85 until I looked it up on the net. So according to GM website:

E85 FlexFuel Vehicles operate on a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Good news, because for every 37 gallons of E85 ethanol used, you're saving one barrel of oil-- reducing our dependence on petroleum. E85 ethanol, a renewable fuel made from U.S. grown bio material (like corn or grain products), also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. GM has more than 1.5 million FlexFuel Vehicles on the road today in all 50 states. Together we can:Take advantage of the choice between gas-powered vehicles and cleaner, E85 ethanol vehicles
Reduce our dependence on petroleum
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions
Gain increased horsepower for better engine performance because E85 ethanol fuel has a higher octane rating than premium gasoline
Lessen engine wear


I have not seen any gas station selling E85 but when I googled it, some states are. Anyone here has experience with these fuel? Apparently some GM cars/trucks on the road already can use these fuel. Here's a dated article before gas prices went crazy but i assume it is still cheaper than regular gasoline now?

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/04/28_steilm_e86sales/

Lastly, any drawbacks on E85?

[wilfred]

While reading an article on the new Tahoe, it mentioned something about it can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol. Don't laugh at me but I had no clue what is E85 until I looked it up on the net. So according to GM website:

E85 FlexFuel Vehicles operate on a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Good news, because for every 37 gallons of E85 ethanol used, you're saving one barrel of oil-- reducing our dependence on petroleum. E85 ethanol, a renewable fuel made from U.S. grown bio material (like corn or grain products), also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. GM has more than 1.5 million FlexFuel Vehicles on the road today in all 50 states. Together we can:Take advantage of the choice between gas-powered vehicles and cleaner, E85 ethanol vehicles
Reduce our dependence on petroleum
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions
Gain increased horsepower for better engine performance because E85 ethanol fuel has a higher octane rating than premium gasoline
Lessen engine wear


I have not seen any gas station selling E85 but when I googled it, some states are. Anyone here has experience with these fuel? Apparently some GM cars/trucks on the road already can use these fuel. Here's a dated article before gas prices went crazy but i assume it is still cheaper than regular gasoline now?

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/04/28_steilm_e86sales/

Lastly, any drawbacks on E85?

[Orbital H2]

The price per gallon of E85 is cheaper than gasoline, however, E85 has a lesser energy release therefore you have to use more. Don't know what the overall cost effectiveness would be. I would be interested in a LCC analysis of the flex fuel vehicles

[fourfourto]

My aunt has a 1994 dodge spirit that is flex fuel .I havent seen one gas station selling E85 on long island or in new york.

[Fastest H-Town Realtor]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Orbital H2:
The price per gallon of E85 is cheaper than gasoline, however, E85 has a lesser energy release therefore you have to use more. Don't know what the overall cost effectiveness would be. I would be interested in a LCC analysis of the flex fuel vehicles </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed-BTU's are less with the mix. Less BTUs. less power. I throw a BS flag until the dyno shows different. Also, doens't that stuff have a H2O absorbtion problem?

[Marcmedic]

GM's flex fuel engine has been around for a while. My '02 Tahoe had it. Wife's '04 Suburban has it. Never had a chance to use it in either vehicle. Closest place for me to get it is in the middle of the ghetto in KC Missouri. You can find a map of places that have it here:

E85 station locations (http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/locator/LocatePane.asp)