The video below is a presentation on ethanol by billionaire Vinod Khosla .  He does not think ethanol is an alternative fuel.  He thinks gasoline should be the alternative fuel.

What vehicles can use E85?

Unfortunately for some, not all vehicles are able to use the low-cost, homegrown E85 Ethanol in their vehicles. A list of the "chosen" cars that can benefit from E85 Ethanol, however, has been issued. These cars are from manufacturers of Daimler Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercedes, Mercury and Nissan. The following is a list of the E85 compatible vehicles:

Chevrolet

• Selected 2005-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
• Selected 2002-2006 Suburbans, Tahoes
• Selected 2002-2006 Yukon & Yukon XL
• Selected 2002-2006 Silverado trucks
• 2000-2002 2.2L Chevy S-10 trucks (after 12/99)
• 2000-2002 2.2L Sonoma trucks 2WD (after 12/99)
• Selected 2006 Impala & Monte Carlo 3.5L

Chrysler*

• Selected 2004-2006 4.7L Dodge Ram 1500 trucks
• Selected 2003-2006 2.7L Chrysler Sebring sedans
• Selected 2003-2006 2.7L Dodge Stratus sedans
• Selected 2003 3.3L Caravan Cargo vans
• 1998-2006 3.3L Caravan minivans
• 1998-2003 3.3L Voyager minivans
• 1998-2003 3.3L Town & Country minivans
• 2006 Dodge Durango (fleet purchases only)
  
  *Note: 2005 Chrysler flexible fuel vehicles are available through fleet sales
  only.

Ford

• Selected 2002-2005 4.0L Explorer SUVs
• Selected 2004-2005 4.0L Explorer Sport Tracs
• Selected 1999-2003 3.0L Ranger trucks
• Selected 2000-2005 3.0L Taurus sedans and wagons
• Selected 1995-1999 3.0L Taurus sedans
• Selected 2006 3.0L Ford Taurus sedans (fleet purchase only)
• Selected 2006 4.6L Crown Victoria’s
• Selected 2006 5.4L F-150’s
• 2006 Lincoln Town Car

GMC

• Selected 2002-2006 Yukons, Yukon XLs
• Selected 2002-2006 Sierra trucks
• 2003 Sonoma 2WD

Isuzu

• 2000-2001 Isuzu 2.2L Hombre trucks (after 12/99)

Mazda

• Selected 1999 & 2001-2004 B3000 pickup trucks

Mercedes-Benz

• 2003-05 3.2L Mercedes C320 Series sport sedans, sedans, and wagons
• 2005 2.6L Mercedes C240 Series luxury sedans and wagons

Mercury

• Selected 2002-2005 4.0L Mountaineer’s
• Selected 2002-2004 3.0L Sables
• 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6L

Nissan

• Selected 2005-2006 5.6L Titan trucks

While every effort has been taken to ensure the above list is correct, don’t assume your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle just because you see it on a list.  Confirm that it is a flexible fuel vehicle before you put e85 into the tank.  If the vehicle is not compatible with e85 fuel, you could wreck your engine.  Most flexible fuel vehicles either have a sticker or marking by the fuel tank letting you know it’s flexible fuel compatible. The best way to be sure though is to check with your dealer or the manufacturer of the vehicle. 

Flexible fuel engines are required in order for E85 Ethanol to run smoothly and effectively.  These versatile engines were designed to handle an extremely high percentage of ethanol. They can run on regular unleaded fuel, but can also withstand up to an 85 percent blend of ethanol.

You can identify if you have a FFV by looking at the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your car by looking at the second, third, and eighth digits of the VIN.  The second and third digits tell you the manufacturer; the eighth tells you if the vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle.  But that identifying eighth digit varies by model and manufacturer.  The remaining digits of the VIN provide information about the brand, engine size, and type of vehicle.

Many newly manufactured cars boast flexible fuel engines, so you may want to consider replacing your old car in order to enjoy all Ethanol E85 has to offer.

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