Flexible fuel vehicles and E85 are proven options for substituting a clean burning renewable fuel for gasoline, and I believe it should be our common goal that E85 become a nationwide fueling option. Samuel Bodman, U.S. Secretary of Energy

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Ethanol is gaining support in federal, state and private sectors as an alternative to gasoline, greatly surpassing its longtime, more limited use as a gasoline blender or octane enhancer. As of March 2007, ethanol was available in more than 1,000 fueling stations nationwide, but more stations are needed to power the millions of flexible fuel vehicles already on the roads. Title II of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 prohibits petroleum companies from restricting the sale of alternative fuels under new franchise agreements, a provision that could allow gas station owners to install more pumps for E85

E-85 is a renewable, domestically produced alternative fuel that is only 15% unleaded gasoline and 85% ethanol for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFVs can use both traditional gasoline and E85. The small amount of gasoline added to the alcohol helps prevent corrosion of engine parts and aids ignition in cold weather. E85 ethanol contributes to energy independence because it diversifies the source of transportation fuels beyond petroleum, and it also provides positive environmental benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Even though Texas has more registered FFVs on the road than any other state, most owners have not been able to use these vehicles as intended because of the lack of E-85 accessibility. Currently, an infrastructure for E85 is being established, with E85 pumps increasingly available for public use. Within a year of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 enactment, more than 400 E85 pumps were installed nationwide.

In October 2005, Central Texas Clean Cities and alternative fuel supplier CleanFUEL USA opened the first Texas E85 pump for the general public in San Antonio, with additional sites being planned for San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston. E85 sales at the station have continued to increase every month. As of November 2007, there were 35 E85 fueling stations in Texas. See this list of E85 fueling stations in Texas.

Kroger Fueling Stations
Kroger Company is partnering with the State of Texas, General Motors and Abengoa Bioenergy to establish E85 fueling locations at Kroger fueling sites throughout Dallas and Houston, and other areas in Texas. Kroger operates more than 500 supermarket fueling stations nationwide, including more than 60 in Texas. Kroger prices the E85 ethanol lower than regular, unleaded gasoline.

HEB Fueling Stations
HEB opened five ethanol fuel stations in August 2006 along IH-35 - stretching from San Antonio to Waco - to give drivers of flex-fuel vehicles the choice to use E-85. The company is also planning an educational and promotional campaign to inform customers about the benefits of E-85 and how it works with flex-fuel vehicles. HEB has plans for additional sites in the future.

HEB participates in the SmartWay Transport Partnership. The stations are strategically placed for accessibility by government fleets. Don Lewis, Fleet Manager for the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT), said that the new stations will help TXDot lead by example by using a domestically produced alternative fuel. TXDoT operates one of the largest fleets in the nation, and the Waco site is close to a major TxDOT fleet facility. The Killeen gas station is near the gates of Fort Hood.

1-877-485-8595 Research has shown that many owners of flex-fuel vehicles do not know that their vehicles are capable of using E85. Anyone can call the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) toll-free at 1-877-485-8595 to find out if they already own a flex-fuel vehicle. Or visit this NEVC web site. Available FFVs as of May 2006.

What happens if I accidentally fuel my gasoline-only powered vehicle with E85? (taken from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition FAQ page.) Although your vehicle was not manufactured to run on E85, no problems should occur if you mistakenly fuel once with the alternative fuel. The largest difference between an E85 powered vehicle and a gasoline powered vehicle is that their computer modules are meant to read different amounts of oxygen within the fuel. E85 contains a higher amount of oxygen than gasoline and E85 compatible vehicles are made to read that higher amount. When a higher amount of oxygen is read by a gasoline powered vehicle, your "check engine light" may appear. A number of other parts on the FFV's fuel delivery system are modified to be ethanol-compatible. The fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel injectors, computer system and anti-siphon device have been modified slightly. Alcohol fuels can be more corrosive than gasoline. Therefore; fuel system parts have been upgraded to be ethanol-compatible. Ultimately it is a drivers choice, but we do need to be firm in recommending that only FFVs use E85 and to state that we are not responsible for damages.

E85 Conversion Kits: Setting the Record Straight
A DOE Clean Cities Program web site.

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