What Is Flex Fuel? Meaning, Benefits & Flex Fuel Vehicles
By 4 on
User TipsLearn what is flex fuel, how flexible fuel works, flex fuel vehicles, benefits, drawbacks, and whether this ethanol-based fuel is right for your car.
Alternative fuels are developing to accommodate changes in consumer preferences. Flex fuel is one such option. Flex fuels are blends of gasoline and ethanol. Flex fuels are used in flex-fuel vehicles, which can also use other gasoline blends.
You may have seen E85 at the pump. You may have heard of flex-fuel vehicles, but wondered if it is appropriate for your vehicle, and is it affordable and how does it work?
In this guide, we will discuss the ins and outs of flex fuel, how it works, the pros and cons of using it and more.
What is Flex Fuel?
Flex fuels are gasoline-ethanol blends. The most common type of flex fuel is E85. Flex fuels can be used in vehicles designed to use them.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol, and like other alcohols, it can be used as fuel. Ethanol is also renewable. Most of the time it is produced from plants. Because of this, many consider ethanol an alternative fuel.
Definition of Flex Fuel
Flex fuel allows a vehicle to be operated on different gasoline blends. Traditionally, a vehicle can only be operated on conventional gasoline. However, with a flexible fuel system, operation on conventional gasoline as well as gasoline blends can be supported.
What kinds of fuels can be used in a flex fuel system?
Any of the following fuels can be used in a flexible fuel system:
- Conventional gasoline
- Gasoline blends
- E85 fuel
The flexible fuel system automatically adjusts the engine operation to support the fuel blend being used.
Operation of a Flexible Fuel System
Use of different fuels in a system supports the operation of the vehicle in an optimal manner.
If a fuel containing ethanol is used in the vehicle, the system will detect the percentage of ethanol and automatically adjust engine performance.
In order for the system to function optimally, a few components of the system must also function effectively.
These components are the ethanol percentage sensor, the engine control module, and other components of the fuel system.
With flex fuel technology, the vehicle can be used to operate on gasoline or ethanol blends without special mechanisms for each.
Flexible gas vehicles can run on either ethanol blended fuel (such as E85) or traditional gasoline.
Because flexible gas vehicles are internally similar to traditional gasoline vehicles, it can be difficult to identify them externally. Some clues are:
- A badge on the vehicle
- A label on the fuel door
- Manufacturer information in the owner's manual
There are a number of flex-fuel vehicles that are on the road without drivers' knowledge because they look identical to traditional vehicles.
What differentiates Flex-Fuel from traditional gasoline?
Flex-Fuel uses ethanol as part of the gasoline blend. The ethanol content can vary and does not always need to be included in the name of the gasoline.
| Feature | Flex Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Gasoline mixed with ethanol | Mostly petroleum-based fuel |
| Common Example | E85 | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Vehicle Requirement | Requires flex fuel vehicles | Works with standard gasoline vehicles |
| Renewable Content | Higher ethanol content | Lower renewable content |
| Availability | Available at selected stations | Widely available |
| Fuel Economy | May vary depending on ethanol percentage | Usually higher mileage |
What is E85?
E85 contains 85% ethanol and 15% traditional gasoline. Similar to other gasoline blends, the ethanol content can change with the season.
What are the benefits of using E85 and flex fuel?
1. Flex Fuel Uses Renewable Resources
Flex fuel uses renewable resources.
This gives users a way to partially replace their use of conventional fossil fuels.
2. Less Expensive Fuel?
Flex fuel could be cheaper than conventional gas in certain locations.
How much a user actually saves depends on the following:
- How efficient their vehicle is
- How expensive other fuel options are
- The availability of E85 fuel
Often times the cheapest fuel option isn't the cheapest on a per mile basis.
3. Increased Domestic Fuel Production
Fuel ethanôm production serves various functions including reducing the country’s dependence on other nations for fuel.
4. Other Alternative Fuels
Using flex fuels provides a different fuel option for users and supports the shift toward other fuel options.
There are negatives to using flex fuels as well.
1. Fuel Economy
Using fuels with a higher ethanol content does not increase a vehicle’s fuel economy. In fact, it can make it worse because fuels with a higher ethanol content have less of an energy content per volume, meaning a vehicle would need more fuel to achieve the same distance.
2. Availability
The use of flex fuels also carries the burden of E85 fuel being less widely available.
3. Vehicle Type
Only flex fuel type vehicles can use fuels with a higher ethanol content.
How can I tell if my car can run on flex fuel?
There are a few ways to tell if your car can run on flex fuel.
- Check if your car has a label near the fuel door that says E85.
- Check your owner’s manual.
- Check your car’s details using your vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Contact the manufacturer of your vehicle.
It is important to know your car’s fuel flexibility to prevent from having unnecessary service work done on your car.
What are the pros and cons of using flex fuel?
It really depends on your situation.
Some cons of using flex fuel include:
- Having a vehicle that supports flex fuel
- Being able to find E85 fuel
If you do not have a vehicle that is flex fuel, it is better to use regular gas. Regular gas gives you a better fuel economy.
Is flex fuel worth using?
Flex fuel gives a customer a choice and can meet the needs of customers that have a vehicle that supports flex fuel and is able to find E85 fuel. Regular gas meets the needs of a customer that doesn’t have a vehicle that is flex fuel.
It really depends on your situation and location.
What effect does flex fuel have on the gas station?
Understanding what type of fuel is in demand gives a gas station the ability to meet the needs of the customer and give the customer a choice. Factors that effect a gas station’s bottom line when deciding what fuel to sell includes equipment costs, location, competition, and demand.
If you are interested in starting or investing in a gas station, see our article How Much Profit Does a Gas Station Make in a Month?
Frequently Asked Questions About Flex Fuel
1. What do you mean by flex fuel?
This term describes a transport fuel made up of a mixture of ethanol and gasoline.
2. Which cars can make use of flex fuel?
Cars designed to use fuel with a high ethanol content (E85 for instance) can use flex fuel.
3. Is flex fuel less expensive?
Yes, it can be less expensive, but it depends on several factors including the mileage of the vehicle and the price and availability of the fuel.
4. Is flex fuel good for improving the performance of a vehicle?
Flex fuel vehicles are made to use fuel with ethanol, and as such, can be efficient with that fuel. However, ethanol has less energy than gasoline, and as such, can affect the fuel economy of a vehicle.
5. How do I locate flex fuel near me?
You can check surrounding gas stations or use online fuel location services to find gas stations that sell E85.
Additional Information
Flex fuel provides an option for an alternative transportation fuel, and for those vehicles designed to use different fuel blends, provides greater fuel flexibility.
Due to changing technology and the trends within the fuel industry, the concerns and needs of both flex fuel and flexible fuel vehicles will be of interest to the transportation industry for a long time.
To read more about the transportation and fuel industries, check out other ENG366 articles .
