Flexible-fuel vehicle

{{Short description|Vehicle that runs on multiple fuels}} {{about|alcohol and gasoline fueled vehicles|other types of vehicles|Multifuel|and|Bi-fuel vehicle|and|Alternative fuel vehicle|and|Hybrid vehicle}} {{Update|date=August 2021}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} [[File:Late model Ford Model T.jpg|thumb|upright=1.09|The [[Ford Model T]]'s engine was capable of running on [[Ethanol fuel|ethanol]], [[gasoline]], [[kerosene]], or a mixture of the first two.]] A '''flexible-fuel vehicle''' ('''FFV''') or '''dual-fuel vehicle''' ([[colloquial]]ly called a '''flex-fuel vehicle''') is an [[alternative fuel vehicle]] with an [[internal combustion engine]] designed to run on more than one [[fuel]], usually [[gasoline]] blended with either [[ethanol fuel|ethanol]] or [[methanol fuel]], and both fuels are stored in the same common tank. Modern flex-fuel engines are capable of burning any proportion of the resulting blend in the [[combustion chamber]] as [[fuel injection]] and [[ignition timing|spark timing]] are adjusted automatically according to the actual blend detected by a fuel composition sensor. Flex-fuel vehicles are distinguished from [[bi-fuel vehicle]]s, where two fuels are stored in separate tanks and the engine runs on one fuel at a time, for example, [[compressed natural gas]] (CNG), [[Autogas|liquefied petroleum gas]] (LPG), or [[Hydrogen vehicle|hydrogen]].

The most common commercially available FFV in the world market is the ethanol flexible-fuel vehicle,<ref name="SusTransp"/> with about 60 million [[automobile]]s, [[motorcycle]]s and [[light duty truck]]s manufactured and sold worldwide by March 2018, and concentrated in four markets, Brazil (30.5 million light-duty vehicles and over 6 million motorcycles),<ref name=BR30mFlex/> the United States (27 million by the end of 2021),<ref name=US20mFlex/> Canada (1.6 million by 2014),<ref name=FFVsCanada/> and Europe, led by Sweden (243,100).<ref name=BAFF/><ref name=SwedenSales2012/><ref name=SwedenSales2014/> In addition to flex-fuel vehicles running with ethanol, in Europe and the US, mainly in [[California]], there have been successful test programs with methanol flex-fuel vehicles, known as [[M85 fuel|M85]] flex-fuel vehicles.<ref name="SusTransp">{{Cite book |author1=Ryan, Lisa |author2=Turton, Hal | year = 2007 | title = Sustainable Automobile Transport|url=https://archive.org/details/sustainableautom0000ryan |url-access=registration | publisher = Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, England| isbn = 978-1-84720-451-6| pages = [https://archive.org/details/sustainableautom0000ryan/page/40 40]–41}}</ref><ref name="Methanolstory" /> There have been also successful tests using [[P-series fuels]] with E85 flex fuel vehicles, but as of September 2025, this fuel is not yet available to the general public.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/pseries/a/Pseries101.htm |title=P-series Fuel 101: What is it? |author1=Christine Gable |author2=Scott Gable |publisher=About.com:Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels |access-date=2008-09-25 |archive-date=2009-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224084003/http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/pseries/a/Pseries101.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_pseries.html |title=Alternative Fuels: P-series |publisher=Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, USDoE |access-date=2008-09-25 }}</ref> These successful tests with P-series fuels were conducted on [[Ford Taurus]] and [[Dodge Caravan]] flexible-fuel vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iags.org/pseries.htm |title=Alternative Fuels: P-series fuels|publisher=Institute for the Analysis of Global Security |year=2003|access-date=2008-09-25}}</ref>

Though technology exists to allow ethanol FFVs to run on any mixture of gasoline and ethanol, from pure gasoline up to 100% ethanol ([[Neat ethanol fuel|E100]]),<ref name=CleanCity>{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/41597.pdf | title=Flexible Fuel Vehicles: Providing a Renewable Fuel Choice (Fact Sheet)| publisher=U.S. Department of Energy |date=June 2008 |access-date=2008-08-24 }}</ref><ref name="SusEthanol"/> North American and European flex-fuel vehicles are optimized to run on [[E85]], a blend of 85% [[anhydrous]] ethanol fuel with 15% gasoline. This upper limit in the ethanol content is set to reduce ethanol emissions at low temperatures and to avoid cold starting problems during cold weather, at temperatures lower than {{Convert|11|C|F|lk=on}}.<ref name="ColdE85">{{cite book|title=Ethanol vehicle cold start improvement when using a hydrogensupplemented E85 fuel|publisher=Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit, 2000. (IECEC) 35th Intersociety |date=2002-08-06|author=Davis, G.W.|chapter=Ethanol vehicle cold start improvement when using a hydrogen supplemented E85 fuel|volume=1|pages=303–308|display-authors=etal|doi=10.1109/IECEC.2000.870702|isbn=1-56347-375-5|s2cid=96955040 }}</ref> The alcohol content is reduced during the winter in regions where temperatures fall below {{Convert|0|°C|°F|abbr=on}}<ref name="Cold2E85">{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/CIS_EO_coldstart_AF-E-62_87914_7.pdf|title=Development of Technologies to Improve Cold Start Performance of Ethanol Vehicles: Final Report|publisher=State of Michigan|access-date=2008-10-14|date=2001-06-11|author=Gregory W. Davis}}</ref> to a winter blend of [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E70, E75|E70]] in the U.S.<ref name="E70green" /><ref name="E70">{{cite web|url=https://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/09/ethanol-fuel-and-cars.html|title=Ethanol fuel and cars |date=23 September 2008 |publisher=Interesting Energy Facts|access-date=2008-09-23}}</ref> or to [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E70, E75|E75]] in Sweden<ref name="E75">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/mveg_meetings/subgroup_euro/meeting9/swedish_comments_on_draft_v4.pdf |title=Swedish comments on Euro 5/6 comitology version 4, 30 May 2007: Cold Temperature Tests For Flex Fuel Vehicles |publisher=European Commission |author=Vägverket (Swedish Road Administration) |date=2007-05-30 |access-date=2008-09-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003062351/http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/mveg_meetings/subgroup_euro/meeting9/swedish_comments_on_draft_v4.pdf |archive-date=October 3, 2008 }}</ref> from November until March.<ref name="SEKAB">{{cite web|url=http://www.sekab.com/default.asp?id=1901&refid=1982#13 |publisher=SEKAB |title=FAQs: Do ethanol cars really start when it is cold outside? |access-date=2008-10-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716035019/http://www.sekab.com/default.asp?id=1901&refid=1982 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref> Brazilian flex fuel vehicles are optimized to run on any mix of [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E20, E25|E20-E25]] gasoline and up to 100% [[hydrous]] ethanol fuel (E100). The Brazilian flex vehicles were built-in with a small gasoline reservoir for cold starting the engine when temperatures drop below {{Convert|15|°C|°F|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Cold101">{{cite web|url=http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3717|title=Cold Start 101|publisher=Ethanol Producer Magazine|access-date=2008-10-14|date=March 2008|author=Ron Kotrba|archive-date=24 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024161137/http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3717|url-status=dead}}</ref> An improved flex motor generation was launched in 2009 which eliminated the need for the secondary gas tank.<ref name="BioEnergia" /><ref name="Gazeta" /><ref name="FlexStart1" /><ref name="FlexStart2" />

== Terminology == [[File:Brazilian Fiat Siena TetraFuel four views.jpg|thumb|The [[Fiat Siena|Fiat Siena Tetrafuel]] 1.4 is a [[multifuel]] car designed to run as a flex-fuel on pure [[gasoline]], or [[w:Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E20, E25|E20-E25 blend]], or pure ethanol ([[Neat ethanol fuel|E100]]); or to run as a [[bi-fuel vehicle|bi-fuel]] with [[Compressed natural gas|natural gas (CNG)]].]] [[File:Escape E85 Flex Fuel Hybrid WAS 2010 8941.JPG|thumb|Demonstration [[E85]] flex-fuel [[Ford Escape Hybrid]]]] [[File:Ford Escape E85 Flex Plug-in Hybrid views and badging WAS 2010.jpg|thumb|Demonstration [[Ford Escape Hybrid|Ford Escape]] [[E85]] flex-fuel [[plug-in hybrid]]]] As ethanol FFVs became commercially available during the late 1990s, the common use of the term "flexible-fuel vehicle" became synonymous with ethanol FFVs.<ref name="CleanCity" /><ref name=EERE08>{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.html| title=Alternative and Advanced Vehicles: Flexible Fuel Vehicles | author=National Renewable Energy Laboratory [[U.S. Department of Energy|USDoE]] | publisher=Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center | date=2007-09-17 |access-date=2008-08-19}}</ref><ref name="Handbook">{{cite web |url=http://www.compete-bioafrica.net/publications/publ/BioFuel_Technology_Handbook_1vs_WIP.pdf | title=BioFuel Technology Handbook |author1=Dominik Rutz |author2=Rainer Jansen | publisher=WIP Renewable Energies |date=February 2007 | access-date= 2008-09-01 }} See definition in Glossary and Abbreviations</ref><ref name="Greenfleet">{{cite web|url=http://www.sugre.info/tools.phtml?id=686 |title=Definition of Terms |publisher=Sustainable Green Fleets |access-date=2008-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721235145/http://www.sugre.info/tools.phtml?id=686 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biofuelmarketplace.com/(S(mfsz0yfocwuc4lbg2lkdidel))/Anonym/Glossary.aspx?Letter=5 |title=Glossary |publisher=Biofuel Marketplace |access-date=2008-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211201822/http://www.biofuelmarketplace.com/(S(mfsz0yfocwuc4lbg2lkdidel))/Anonym/Glossary.aspx?Letter=5 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 }} See definition of FFV</ref> In the United States flex-fuel vehicles are also known as "E85 vehicles". In Brazil, the FFVs are popularly known as "total flex" or simply "flex" cars. In Europe, FFVs are also known as "flexifuel" vehicles. Automakers, particularly in Brazil and the European market, use badging in their FFV models with the some variant of the word "flex", such as [[Volvo]] ''Flexifuel'', or [[Volkswagen]] ''Total Flex'', or [[Chevrolet]] ''FlexPower'' or [[Renault]] ''Hi-Flex'', and [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] sells its [[Ford Focus (international)|Focus]] model in Europe as ''Flexifuel'' and as ''Flex'' in Brazil. In the US, only since 2008 FFV models feature a yellow gas cap with the label "E85/Gasoline" written on the top of the cap to differentiate E85s from gasoline only models.<ref name="USAToday" />

Flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are based on dual-fuel systems that supply both fuels into the combustion chamber at the same time in various calibrated proportions. The most common fuels used by FFVs today are unleaded gasoline and ethanol fuel. Ethanol FFVs can run on pure gasoline, pure ethanol (E100) or any combination of both.<ref name="Handbook" /><ref name="Greenfleet" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biofuelmarketplace.com/(S(mfsz0yfocwuc4lbg2lkdidel))/Anonym/Glossary.aspx?Letter=3 |title=Glossary |publisher=Biofuel Marketplace |access-date=2008-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211201803/http://www.biofuelmarketplace.com/(S(mfsz0yfocwuc4lbg2lkdidel))/Anonym/Glossary.aspx?Letter=3 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 }} See definition of Dual-Fuel Vehicle</ref> [[Methanol]] has also been blended with gasoline in flex-fuel vehicles known as [[M85 fuel|M85]] FFVs, but their use has been limited mainly to demonstration projects and small government fleets, particularly in California.<ref name="Methanolstory" /> * [[Bi-fuel vehicle]]s. The term flexible-fuel vehicles is sometimes used to include other alternative fuel vehicles that can run with [[compressed natural gas]] (CNG), [[liquefied petroleum gas]] (LPG; also known as [[autogas]]), or [[Hydrogen vehicle|hydrogen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorpoint.com.au/ffv-alternative.asp|title=Flexible Fuel Vehicles|publisher=Motopoint|first=Diane|last=Nassy|access-date=2008-08-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723024113/http://motorpoint.com.au/ffv-alternative.asp|archive-date=2008-07-23}}</ref> However, all these vehicles actually are bi-fuel and not flexible-fuel vehicles, because they have engines that store the other fuel in a separate tank, and the engine runs on one fuel at a time. Bi-fuel vehicles have the capability to switch back and forth from gasoline to the other fuel, manually or automatically.<ref name="Handbook" /><ref name="Greenfleet" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biofuelmarketplace.com/(S(mfsz0yfocwuc4lbg2lkdidel))/Anonym/Glossary.aspx?Letter=1| archive-url=https://archive.today/20081211201758/http://www.biofuelmarketplace.com/(S(mfsz0yfocwuc4lbg2lkdidel))/Anonym/Glossary.aspx?Letter=1| url-status=dead| archive-date=2008-12-11| title=Glossary | publisher=Biofuel Marketplace | access-date=2008-09-01 }} See definition of Bi-fuel Vehicle</ref> The most common available fuel in the market for bi-fuel cars is natural gas (CNG),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/natural_gas.html | title=Natural Gas Vehicles |author1=Alternative Fuels |author2=Advanced Vehicles Data Center | publisher=US Department of Energy | access-date=2008-09-01 }}</ref> and by 2008 there were 9.6 million natural gas vehicles, led by Pakistan (2.0 million), [[Argentina]] (1.7 million), and Brazil (1.6 million).<ref name="IANGV">{{cite web |url=http://www.iangv.org/tools-resources/statistics.html |title=Natural Gas Vehicle Statistics |publisher=International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles |access-date=2009-10-19 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110101111/http://www.iangv.org/tools-resources/statistics.html |archive-date=2010-01-10 }}</ref><ref name="GreenCar">{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/10/forecast-17m-natural-gas-vehicles-worldwide-by-2015.html#more|title=Forecast: 17M Natural Gas Vehicles Worldwide by 2015|author=Pike Research|date=2009-10-19|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|access-date=2009-10-19}}</ref> Natural gas vehicles are a popular choice as [[taxicab]]s in the main cities of Argentina and Brazil. Normally, standard gasoline vehicles are retrofitted in specialized shops, which involve installing the gas cylinder in the trunk and the CNG injection system and electronics. * [[Multifuel]] vehicles are capable of operating with more than two fuels. In 2004 [[GM do Brasil]] introduced the [[Chevrolet Astra]] 2.0 with a "MultiPower" engine built on flex fuel technology developed by [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] of Brazil, and capable of using CNG, ethanol and gasoline (E20-E25 blend) as fuel. This automobile was aimed at the taxicab market and the switch among fuels is done manually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carsale.uol.com.br/opapoecarro/testes/aval_040825astra.shtml|title=Testes: Astra Sedan Multipower|author=Rafaela Borges|publisher=UOL Car Sale|date=2004-08-25|access-date=2008-10-15|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051214061831/http://carsale.uol.com.br/opapoecarro/testes/aval_040825astra.shtml|archive-date=December 14, 2005 }} See this article for a comprehensive evaluation of the Astra Tri-fuel</ref><ref name="GNVNews">{{cite web |url=http://www.bigas.com.br/sistema/?modulo=gnvnews&acao=abrir&id=22 |title=Montadores Investem nos Carros á GNV |author=GNVNews |publisher=Institutio Brasileiro de Petroleo e Gas |date=November 2006 |access-date=2008-09-20 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211175309/http://www.bigas.com.br/sistema/?modulo=gnvnews&acao=abrir&id=22 |archive-date=2008-12-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jornalexpress.com.br/noticias/detalhes.php?id_jornal=9095&id_noticia=1703|title=Astra é líder no segmento dos compactos em 2004: As versões do Chevrolet Astra 2005|publisher=Journal Express|date=2005-01-18|language=pt|access-date=2008-10-15|archive-date=2008-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212043945/http://www.jornalexpress.com.br/noticias/detalhes.php?id_jornal=9095&id_noticia=1703|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006 [[Fiat]] introduced the [[Fiat Siena|Fiat Siena Tetra fuel]], a four-fuel car developed under [[Magneti Marelli]] of Fiat Brazil.<ref name="Christine Lepisto">{{cite web|url=http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/fiat_sienna_tetr.php|title=Fiat Siena Tetra Power: Your Choice of Four Fuels|publisher=Treehugger|author=Christine Lepisto|date=2006-08-27|access-date=2008-08-24|archive-date=2008-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919172025/http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/fiat_sienna_tetr.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.caradisiac.com/Nouvelle-Fiat-Siena-2008-sans-complexe-359 | title=Nouvelle Fiat Siena 2008: sans complexe |publisher=Caradisiac | date=2007-11-01| access-date=2008-08-31 | language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701042346/http://news.caradisiac.com/Nouvelle-Fiat-Siena-2008-sans-complexe-359 |archive-date = July 1, 2008 }}</ref> This automobile can run as a flex-fuel on 100% ethanol (E100); or on E-20 to E25, Brazil's normal ethanol gasoline blend;<ref name="Portaria2007" /> on pure gasoline (though no longer available in Brazil since 1993,<ref name="Lei8723" /> it is still used in neighboring countries); or just on natural gas. The Siena Tetrafuel was engineered to switch from any gasoline-ethanol blend to CNG automatically, depending on the power required by road conditions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webmotors.com.br/wmpublicador/Noticias_Conteudo.vxlpub?hnid=36391 |author=Agência AutoInforme |title=Siena Tetrafuel vai custar R$ 41,9 mil |publisher=WebMotor |date=2006-06-19 |access-date=2008-08-14 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210211007/http://www.webmotors.com.br/wmpublicador/Noticias_Conteudo.vxlpub?hnid=36391 |archive-date=2008-12-10 }} The article argues that even though Fiat called it tetra fuel, it actually runs on three fuels: natural gas, ethanol, and gasoline, as Brazilian gasoline is an E20 to E25 blend.</ref> Another existing option is to [[retrofit]] an ethanol flexible-fuel vehicle to add a natural gas tank and the corresponding injection system. This option is popular among taxicab owners in [[São Paulo]] and [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil, allowing users to choose among three fuels (E25, E100 and CNG) according to current market prices at the pump. Vehicles with this adaptation are known in Brazil as "tri-fuel" cars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devanagari.com.br/taxinews.com.br/pag/noticia_02_resumos.asp?regn=36 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070729174752/http://www.devanagari.com.br/taxinews.com.br/pag/noticia_02_resumos.asp?regn=36 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-07-29 |title=Gás Natural Veicular |publisher=TDenavagari.com.br |author=TaxiNews |access-date=2008-08-24 |language=pt }}</ref> * Flex-fuel [[hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid electric]] and flex-fuel [[plug-in hybrid]] are two types of [[hybrid vehicle]]s built with a combustion engine capable of running on gasoline, E-85, or E-100 to help drive the wheels in conjunction with the electric engine or to recharge the battery pack that powers the electric engine.<ref name="Plug_in">{{Cite book | last = [[Sherry Boschert]] | title = Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America | year = 2006 | publisher = New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, Canada | isbn = 978-0-86571-571-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/pluginhybridscar00bosc }}</ref> In 2007 [[Ford Motor Corporation|Ford]] produced 20 demonstration [[Ford Escape Hybrid|Escape Hybrid]] E85s for real-world testing in fleets in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hybridcarblog.com/2007/06/ford-delivers-e85-hybrid-vehicles.html |title=Ford delivers E85 hybrid vehicles |publisher=HybridCarBlog |date=2007-06-11 |access-date=2010-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231054254/http://www.hybridcarblog.com/2007/06/ford-delivers-e85-hybrid-vehicles.html |archive-date=2009-12-31 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greencar.com/articles/hybrids-running-e85-ethanol-fuel-5-things.php |title=Hybrids Running on E85 Ethanol Fuel: 5 Things to Know |publisher=GreenCar.com |date=2009-03-16 |access-date=2010-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312040628/http://www.greencar.com/articles/hybrids-running-e85-ethanol-fuel-5-things.php |archive-date=2010-03-12 }}</ref> Also as a demonstration project, Ford delivered in 2008 the first flexible-fuel plug-in hybrid SUV to the [[U.S. Department of Energy]] (DOE), a [[Ford Escape Hybrid|Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid]], which runs on gasoline or E85.<ref name="FlesFuelHybrid">{{cite web|url=http://www.foodandfuelamerica.com/2008/06/ford-delivers-flex-fuel-hybrid-to-doe.html|title=Ford Delivers Flex Fuel Hybrid to DOE|publisher=Fuel and Food America|date=2008-06-12|access-date=2008-03-28}}</ref> GM announced that the [[Chevrolet Volt]] plug-in hybrid, launched in the U.S. in late 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gm-volt.com/2008/06/05/moving-the-chevy-volt-to-production-status/ |title=GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site: Moving the Chevy Volt to Production Status|work=GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site |date=2008-06-05|publisher=[[General Motors]]|access-date=2008-09-22}}</ref> would be the first commercially available flex-fuel plug-in capable of adapting the propulsion to several world markets such as the U.S., Brazil or Sweden, as the combustion engine can be adapted to run on E85, E100 or diesel respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-its-here-gms-plug-in-hybrid-is-the-chevy-v |title=Detroit Auto Show: It's here. GM's plug-in hybrid is the Chevy Volt Concept|work=Autoblog |publisher=Autoblog.com}}</ref><ref name=Green0107>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencar.com/articles/gm-chevrolet-volt-plug-hybrid-electric-vehicle.php|title=GM Chevrolet Volt Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle|author=Kellen Schefter|publisher=[[Green Car Journal]]|date=2007-01-10|access-date=2009-04-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103041302/http://www.greencar.com/articles/gm-chevrolet-volt-plug-hybrid-electric-vehicle.php|archive-date=2010-01-03}}</ref> The Volt was initially expected to be flex-fuel-capable in 2013, but it was not produced.<ref name=Volt2013/> [[Lotus Engineering]] unveiled the [[Lotus CityCar]] at the [[2010 Paris Motor Show]]. The CityCar is a [[plug-in hybrid]] [[concept car]] designed for flex-fuel operation on [[ethanol fuel|ethanol]], or [[methanol fuel|methanol]] as well as regular [[gasoline]].<ref name=AbG>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/02/lotus-unveils-range-extended-electric-city-car-concept-in-paris/|title=Lotus unveils range-extended electric city car concept in Paris|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|date=2010-10-02}}</ref> *In December 2018, [[Toyota|Toyota do Brasil]] announced the development of the world's first commercial [[hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid electric car]] with flex-fuel engine capable of running with electricity and any blend of ethanol fuel and gasoline. The flexible fuel hybrid technology was developed in partnership with several [[Federal government of Brazil|Brazilian federal]] universities, and a prototype was tested for six months using a [[Toyota Prius]] as [[development mule]].<ref name=PriusFlex>{{cite news |url=https://g1.globo.com/carros/noticia/2018/12/13/toyota-lanca-tecnologia-para-producao-de-primeiro-carro-hibrido-flex-do-mundo.ghtml |title=Toyota lança em cerimônia com Temer tecnologia para produção de primeiro carro híbrido flex |trans-title=In ceremony with President Temer, Toyota launches technology for the production of the first flex-fuel hybrid |first=Luiz Felipe |last=Barbiéri|work=G1 ([[Grupo Globo]]) |language=pt |date=2018-12-13 |access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> Toyota announced plans to start production of a flex hybrid electric car for the Brazilian market in the second half of 2019.<ref name=PriusFlex/><ref name=ToyotaFlexHEV>{{cite news |url=https://motor1.uol.com.br/news/297507/toyota-primeiro-hibrido-flex-brasil/ |title=Toyota confirma produção do primeiro híbrido flex no Brasil em 2019 |trans-title=Toyota confirms production of the first flex-fuel hybrid in Brazil in 2019|first=Dyogo |last=Fagundes |work=[[Universo Online|UOL]] Motor |language=pt |date=2018-12-13 |access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref>

== History == The [[Ford Model T]], produced from 1908 through 1927, was fitted with a [[carburetor]] with adjustable jetting, allowing use of ethanol, gasoline or kerosene (each by itself), or a combination of the first two mentioned fuels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html#ethintro |title=Ethanol fuel: Journey to Forever |first=Keith |last=Addison |work=Journey to Forever |access-date=2012-12-24}}</ref><ref>Hunt, V, D, The Gasohol Handbook, Industrial Press Inc., 1981, pp 9, 420,421, 442</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2008/07/25/mnmodel125.xml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120529160308/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2008/07/25/mnmodel125.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-05-29|title= Ford Model T reaches 100|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=2008-07-25|access-date=2008-08-11 | location=London | first=Andrew | last=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html#ethintro|title= Ethanol: Introduction|publisher=Journey to Forever|access-date=2008-08-11}}</ref> Other car manufactures also provided engines for ethanol fuel use.<ref name="SusEthanol"/> [[Henry Ford]] continued to advocate for ethanol as fuel even during [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]]. However, cheaper oil caused gasoline to prevail, until the [[1973 oil crisis]] resulted in gasoline shortages and awareness on the dangers of oil dependence. This crisis opened a new opportunity for ethanol and other [[alternative fuel]]s, such as [[Methanol fuel|methanol]], gaseous fuels such as [[Compressed natural gas|CNG]] and [[Liquefied petroleum gas|LPG]], and also [[Hydrogen vehicle|hydrogen]].<ref name="Methanolstory">{{cite web|url=http://www.methanol.org/Energy/Resources/Alternative-Fuel/Ford-s-Roberta-Nichols-The-Methanol-Story.aspx| author=Roberta J Nichols| title=The Methanol Story: A Sustainable Fuel for the Future| publisher=Methanol Institute| year=2003| access-date=2011-06-14| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726053628/http://www.methanol.org/Energy/Resources/Alternative-Fuel/Ford-s-Roberta-Nichols-The-Methanol-Story.aspx| archive-date=2011-07-26}} ''Also published in the Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research Vol. 62, January–February 2003, pp. 97–105''</ref><ref name="SusEthanol"/> Ethanol, methanol and natural gas were the three alternative fuels that received more attention for [[research and development]], and government support. [[File:Piracicaba 10 2008 29 VW Gol Total Flex 2003 with logo.jpg|thumb|The 2003 [[Volkswagen Gol|VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex]] was the first full flexible-fuel vehicle produced and sold in Brazil, capable of running on any blend of [[gasoline]] ([[w:Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E20, E25|E20 to E25]]) and [[ethanol fuel|ethanol]] up to [[Neat ethanol fuel|E100]].]] Since 1975, and as a response to the shock caused by the first oil crisis, the Brazilian government implemented the National Alcohol Program -[[Proálcool|Pró-Álcool]]- ({{langx|pt|Programa Nacional do Álcool}}), a nationwide program financed by the government to phase out automotive fuels derived from [[fossil fuels]] in favor of ethanol made from [[sugar cane]].<ref name="Veja1979">{{cite web |url=http://veja.abril.com.br/idade/exclusivo/petroleo/130679.html |title=O petróleo da cana |author=Revista Veja |publisher=[[Editora Abril]] |date=1979-06-13 |access-date=2008-10-18 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006165850/http://veja.abril.com.br/idade/exclusivo/petroleo/130679.html |archive-date=2008-10-06 |author-link=Revista Veja }}</ref><ref name="Bastos">{{cite web|url=http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=534 |author=Milton Briquet Bastos |title=Brazil's Ethanol Program – An Insider's View |publisher=Energy Tribune |date=2007-06-20 |access-date=2008-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710193215/http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=534 |archive-date=2011-07-10 }}</ref> It began with a low blend of anhydrous alcohol with regular gasoline in 1976,<ref name="USP">{{cite thesis|url=http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/86/86131/tde-07052008-115336/|author=Julieta Andrea Puerto Rico|title=Programa de Biocombustíveis no Brasil e na Colômbia: uma análise da implantação, resultados e perspectivas|publisher=[[Universidade de São Paulo]]|date=2008-05-08|doi=10.11606/D.86.2007.tde-07052008-115336|language=pt|access-date=2008-10-05|doi-access=free}} Ph.D. Dissertation Thesis, pp. 81-82</ref> and since July 2007 the mandatory blend is 25% of alcohol or [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E20, E25|gasohol E25]].<ref name="Portaria2007" /> In 1979, and as a response to the [[1979 energy crisis|second oil crisis]], the first vehicle capable of running with pure [[hydrous]] ethanol (E100) was launched to the market, the [[Fiat 147]],<ref name="Bastos" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icis.com/Articles/2007/02/12/4500680/the-brazilian-ethanol-model.html | author=William Lemos |title=The Brazilian ethanol model |publisher=ICIS news | date=2007-02-05 | access-date=2008-08-14}}</ref> after testing with several prototypes developed by [[Fiat]], [[Volkswagen do Brasil|Volkswagen]], [[General Motors do Brasil|GM]] and [[Ford do Brasil|Ford]].<ref name="Veja1979" /> The Brazilian government provided three important initial drivers for the ethanol industry: guaranteed purchases by the state-owned oil company [[Petrobras]], low-interest loans for agro-industrial ethanol firms, and fixed gasoline and ethanol prices. After reaching more than 4 million cars and light trucks running on pure ethanol by the late 1980s,<ref name="ANFAVEA2">{{cite web|url=http://anfavea2010.virapagina.com.br/anfavea2010/ |title=Anúario da Industria Automobilistica Brasileira 2010: Tabelas 2.1–2.2–2.3 Produção por combustível – 1957/2009 |publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brasil) |access-date=2011-02-05 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118035745/http://anfavea2010.virapagina.com.br/anfavea2010/ |archive-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref> the use of E100-only vehicles sharply declined after increases in sugar prices produced shortages of ethanol fuel.

After extensive research that began in the 90s,{{By whom|date=December 2025}} a second push took place in March 2003, when the Brazilian subsidiary of Volkswagen launched to the market the first full flexible-fuel car, the [[Volkswagen Gol|Gol]] 1.6 Total Flex.<ref name="VW100flex" /><ref name="VWhistory" /><ref name="flex3years" /> Several months later was followed by other Brazilian automakers, and by 2010 General Motors, Fiat, Ford, [[Peugeot]], [[Renault]], Volkswagen, [[Honda]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Toyota]], [[Citroën]], [[Nissan]] and [[Kia Motors]] were producing popular models of flex cars and light trucks.<ref name="ANFAVEA4">{{cite web|url=http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas/autoveiculos/tabela10_producao.pdf| title= Produção de Automóveis por Tipo e Combustível – 2010(Tabela 10) |publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brasil)|date=January 2011|access-date=2011-02-05|language=pt}} ''Production up to December 2010''</ref><ref name="Fortune">{{cite magazine|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/02/06/8367959/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060203024747/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/02/06/8367959/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2006|title=How to Beat the High Cost of Gasoline. Forever! |magazine= Fortune |date= 2006-01-24|author1=Adam Lashinsky |author2=Nelson D. Schwartz |access-date=2008-08-13 }}</ref><ref name="Nissan09">{{cite web|url=http://carmagazine.uol.com.br/materia/?id=0976085925|title=Livina, primeiro carro flex da Nissan chega com preços entre R$ 46.690 e R$ 56.690|publisher=Car Magazine Online|language=pt|date=2009-03-18|access-date=2009-03-26}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref><ref name=Kia10>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/10/flex-20101027.html#more|title=Kia introduces new Flex-Fuel Soul Flex at Brazilian Motor Show; boosts output and lowers fuel consumption|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2010-10-27|access-date=2010-10-28}}</ref> The adoption of ethanol flex fuel vehicles was so successful, that production of flex cars went from almost 40 thousand in 2003 to 1.7 million in 2007.<ref name="ANFAVEA2" /> This rapid adoption of the flex technology was facilitated by the fuel distribution infrastructure already in place, as around 27,000 filling stations countrywide were available by 1997 with at least one ethanol pump, a heritage of the ''Pró-Álcool'' program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amda.org.br/assets/files/gASOLINA.pdf |author1=Henry Xavier Corseuil |author2=Marcus Sal Molin Marins |title=Contaminação de Águas Subterrâneas por Derramamentos de Gasolina: O problema é grave? |publisher=Amda.org |year=1997 |language=pt |access-date=2008-09-13 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In the United States, initial support to develop alternative fuels by the government was also a response to the first oil crisis, and some time later, as a goal to improve air quality. Also, liquid fuels were preferred over gaseous fuels not only because they have a better volumetric energy density but also because they were the most compatible fuels with existing distribution systems and engines, thus avoiding a big departure from the existing technologies and taking advantage of the vehicle and the refueling infrastructure.<ref name="Methanolstory" /> California led the search of sustainable alternatives with interest focused in methanol. Ford Motor Company and other automakers responded to California's request for vehicles that run on methanol. In 1981, Ford delivered 40 dedicated methanol fuel (M100) [[Ford Escort (North America)|Escorts]] to [[Los Angeles County]], but only four refueling stations were installed.<ref name="Methanolstory" /> The biggest challenge in the development of alcohol vehicle technology was getting all of the fuel system materials compatible with the higher chemical reactivity of the fuel. Methanol was even more of a challenge than ethanol but much of the early experience gained with [[neat ethanol vehicle]] production in Brazil was transferable to methanol. The success of this small experimental fleet of M100s led California to request more of these vehicles, mainly for government fleets. In 1983, Ford built 582 M100 vehicles; 501 went to California, and the remaining to New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, and Canada.<ref name="Methanolstory" />

[[File:Wiki cars1 005.jpg|thumb|The 1996 [[Ford Taurus]] was the first flexible-fuel vehicle produced with versions capable of running with either [[ethanol fuel|ethanol (E85)]] or [[methanol fuel|methanol (M85)]] blended with gasoline.]] As an answer to the lack of refueling infrastructure, Ford began development of a flexible-fuel vehicle in 1982, and between 1985 and 1992, 705 experimental FFVs were built and delivered to California and Canada, including the 1.6L Ford Escort, the 3.0L [[Ford Taurus|Taurus]], and the 5.0L [[Ford LTD Crown Victoria|LTD Crown Victoria]]. These vehicles could operate on either gasoline or methanol with only one fuel system. Legislation was passed to encourage the US auto industry to begin production, which started in 1993 for the M85 FFVs at Ford. In 1996, a new FFV Ford Taurus was developed, with models fully capable of running on either methanol or ethanol blended with gasoline.<ref name="Methanolstory" /><ref>{{cite web |author= |year=1994 |title=Cars On Alcohol, Part 9: Corn Based Ethanol in the US |url=http://www.greencar.com/perspective/perspective9/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011163845/http://www.greencar.com/perspective/perspective9/ |archive-date=2008-10-11 |access-date=2008-08-31 |publisher=[[Green Car Journal]]}}</ref> This ethanol version of the Taurus became the first commercial production of an E85 FFV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/19960123/news00023.html | author=Paul Dever |title=Alternative Fuel Ford Taurus |publisher=The Auto Channel |date=January 1996 | access-date=2008-08-14 }} Original source: 1996 North American International Auto Show Press Release</ref> The momentum of the FFV production programs at the American car companies continued, although by the end of the 1990s, the emphasis shifted to the FFV E85 version, as it is today.<ref name="Methanolstory" /> Ethanol was preferred over methanol because there is a large support from the farming community, and thanks to the government's incentive programs and corn-based ethanol subsidies available at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencar.com/perspective/perspective13/ |title=Cars On Alcohol, Part 13: GM Supports FlexFuel |publisher=Green Car |year=1995 |access-date=2008-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013102410/http://www.greencar.com/perspective/perspective13/ |archive-date=2008-10-13 }}</ref> Sweden also tested both the M85 and the E85 flexifuel vehicles, but due to agriculture policy, in the end emphasis was given to the ethanol flexifuel vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fy.chalmers.se/~np97magr/other/Coursepaper_MeOH_EtOH_2004.pdf |author=Maria Grahn |title=Why is ethanol given emphasis over methanol in Sweden? |publisher=Chalmers University of Technology |year=2004 |access-date=2008-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717211604/http://fy.chalmers.se/~np97magr/other/Coursepaper_MeOH_EtOH_2004.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-17 }}</ref> Support for ethanol also comes from the fact that it is a [[biomass]] fuel, which addresses [[climate change]] concerns and [[greenhouse gas emissions]], though nowadays these benefits are questioned and depend on the feedstock used for ethanol production and their [[Indirect land use change impacts of biofuels|indirect land use change impact]]s.<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="Oxfam">{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfam.org/files/bp114-inconvenient-truth-biofuels-0806.pdf |title=Another Inconvenient Truth |publisher=[[Oxfam]] |date=2008-06-28 |access-date=2008-08-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819214631/http://www.oxfam.org/files/bp114-inconvenient-truth-biofuels-0806.pdf |archive-date=August 19, 2008 }}Oxfam Briefing Paper 114.</ref><ref name="Science08">{{cite journal|title=Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change|author=Timothy Searchinger|journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] | volume=319 |issue=5867 |pages=1238–1240 | doi=10.1126/science.1151861|date=2008-02-29|pmid=18258860|bibcode=2008Sci...319.1238S|display-authors=1|last2=Heimlich|first2=R.|last3=Houghton|first3=R. A.|last4=Dong|first4=F.|last5=Elobeid|first5=A.|last6=Fabiosa|first6=J.|last7=Tokgoz|first7=S.|last8=Hayes|first8=D.|last9=Yu|first9=T.-H.|s2cid=52810681|doi-access=free}} Originally published online in Science Express on 7 February 2008. See Letters to ''Science'' by Wang and Haq. There are critics to these findings for assuming a worst-case scenario.</ref><ref name="Fargione08">{{cite journal|title=Land Clearing and the Biofuel Carbon Debt |author=Fargione |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] | volume=319 |issue=5867 |pages=1235–1238 |date=2008-02-29 |doi= 10.1126/science.1152747|last2= Hill|first2= J.|last3= Tilman|first3= D.|last4= Polasky|first4= S.|last5= Hawthorne|first5= P.|pmid= 18258862|bibcode=2008Sci...319.1235F |s2cid=206510225 |display-authors= 1}} Originally published online in Science Express on 7 February 2008. There are rebuttals to these findings for assuming a worst-case scenario</ref>

The demand for ethanol fuel produced from [[field corn]] in the United States was stimulated by the discovery in the late 90s that [[Methyl tert-butyl ether|methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)]], an [[oxygenate]] additive in gasoline, was contaminating groundwater.<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/feature_articles/2006/mtbe2006/mtbe2006.pdf|title=Eliminating MTBE in Gasoline in 2006|date=2006-02-22|publisher=Environmental Information Administration|access-date=2008-08-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822000011/http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/feature_articles/2006/mtbe2006/mtbe2006.pdf|archive-date=2008-08-22}}</ref> Due to the risks of widespread and costly litigation, and because MTBE use in gasoline was banned in almost 20 states by 2006, the substitution of MTBE opened a new market for ethanol fuel.<ref name="SusEthanol"/> This demand shift for ethanol as an oxygenate additive took place at a time when [[Oil price increases since 2003|oil prices]] were already significantly rising. By 2006, about 50 percent of the gasoline used in the U.S. contained ethanol at different proportions, and ethanol production grew so fast that the US became the world's top ethanol producer, [[wikt:overtaking|overtaking]] Brazil in 2005.<ref name="RFA1E">{{cite web|url=http://www.ethanolrfa.org/industry/statistics/#E|title=Industry Statistics: Annual World Ethanol Production by Country|publisher=Renewable Fuels Association|access-date=2008-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408091334/http://www.ethanolrfa.org/industry/statistics/#E |archive-date = April 8, 2008}}</ref><ref name="RFA08">{{cite web|url=http://www.ethanolrfa.org/objects/pdf/outlook/RFA_Outlook_2008.pdf |title=Changing the Climate: Ethanol Industry Outlook 2008 |publisher=Renewable Fuels Association |access-date=2008-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625071336/http://www.ethanolrfa.org/objects/pdf/outlook/RFA_Outlook_2008.pdf |archive-date = June 25, 2008}} Source:F.O. Licht</ref> This shift also contributed to a sharp increase in the production and sale of E85 flex vehicles since 2002.<ref name="EEREAP08" />

== Flexible-fuel vehicles by country ==

=== Brazil === {{Main|Flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil|ethanol fuel in Brazil}} {|class="wikitable" align="right" |+Ethanol flex-fuel motor vehicle production in Brazil 2003–2017(1)(2) ! style="background: #ABCDEF;" |Year !! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Total flex-fuel light-duty vehicles produced !! style="background: #ABCDEF;" |Flex vehicles as % total light vehicles(1)(2)!! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Flex motor- cycles produced !! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Flex motor- cycles as % total |-align="right" |-align="right" |align="center"| 2003 || 49,264 || align="center"|2.9|| || |-align="right" |align="center"| 2004 || 332,507 || align="center"|15.2|| || |-align="right" |align="center"| 2005 || 880,941|| align="center"|36.7|| || |-align="right" |align="center"| 2006 || 1,392,055|| align="center"|56.4|| || |-align="right" |align="center"| 2007 || 1,936,931 || align="center"|69.1|| || |-align="right" |align="center"| 2008 || 2,243,648 || align="center"|74.7|| || |-align="right" |align="center"| 2009|| 2,541,153|| align="center"| 84.0||188,494||align="center"|12.2 |-align="right" |align="center"| 2010|| 2,627,111 || align="center"| 77.1||332,351||align="center"|18.2 |-align="right" |align="center"| 2011|| 2,550,782 || align="center"|80.7||956,117||align="center"|44.7 |-align="right" |align="center"| 2012|| 2,732,060 ||align="center"|83.9 ||814,110 ||align="center"|48.2 |-align="right" |align="center"| 2013|| 2,950,611 ||align="center"|84.2 || NA ||align="center"| NA |-align="right" |align="center"| 2014|| 2,637,722 ||align="center"|88.2 || NA ||align="center"| NA |-align="right" |align="center"| 2015|| 1,997,757 ||align="center"|85.4 || NA ||align="center"| NA |-align="right" |align="center"| 2016 || 1,770,668 ||align="center"|84.0 || NA ||align="center"| NA |-align="right" |align="center"| 2017 || 2,130,178 ||align="center"|81.9 || NA ||align="center"|NA |-align="right" |align="center" style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Total 2003–17|| style="background: #ABCDEF;"| 28,773,388 || align="center" style="background: #ABCDEF;"| 70.3 ||style="background: #ABCDEF;"| 2,291,072 || style="background: #ABCDEF;" align="center"|31.8 |- |colspan="5"| '''Sources''': Cars and light trucks: ANFAVEA (2003–2017).<ref name=ANFAVEA2018>{{cite web|url=http://www.virapagina.com.br/anfavea2018|title=Anúario da Industria Automobilistica Brasileira 2018: Tabela 2.3 Produção por combustível – 1957/2017|author=ANFAVEA|publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brasil)|access-date=2018-12-16|language=pt|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217014952/http://www.virapagina.com.br/anfavea2018/|url-status=dead}}'' See Table 2.3 for production figures, and Tables 2.4 and 2.5 for actual registrations (includes flex imports from Argentina)''.</ref> Motorcycles: ABRACICLO 2009,<ref name=MotoFlex09/> 2010,<ref name=MotoFlex10>{{cite web|url=http://www.abraciclo.com.br/images/stories/dados_setor/motocicletas/producao/2010%20produo-dezcorreto.pdf|title=Produção Motocicletas 2010|publisher=ABRACICLO|access-date=2011-02-05|language=pt|archive-date=29 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129195708/http://www.abraciclo.com.br/images/stories/dados_setor/motocicletas/producao/2010%20produo-dezcorreto.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2011,<ref name=MotoFlex11>{{cite web|url=http://www.abraciclo.com.br/images/stories/dados_setor/motocicletas/producao/2011%20produo-dezembro.pdf|title=Produção Motocicletas 2011|trans-title=2011 Motorcycle Production|publisher=ABRACICLO|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|archive-date=29 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129195719/http://www.abraciclo.com.br/images/stories/dados_setor/motocicletas/producao/2011%20produo-dezembro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 2012.<ref name=MotoFlex12>{{cite web|url=http://www.virapagina.com.br/abraciclo2013/files/duasrodas_2013.pdf|title=Anúario da Indústria Brasileira de Duas Rodas 2013|trans-title=Two Wheels Brazilian Industry Yearbook|author=Associação Brasileira dos Fabricantes de Motocicletas, Ciclomotores, Motonetas, Bicicletas e Similares (ABRACICLO)|publisher=ABRACICLO|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731161050/http://www.virapagina.com.br/abraciclo2013/files/duasrodas_2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> '''Notes:''' (1) Includes exports. (2) Total includes gasoline, [[Neat ethanol vehicle|neat ethanol]], flex, and diesel-powered vehicles. |}

Flexible-fuel technology started being developed by Brazilian engineers near the end of the 1990s. The Brazilian flexible fuel car is built with an ethanol-ready engine and one fuel tank for both fuels. The small gasoline reservoir for starting the engine in cold weather, used in earlier [[neat ethanol vehicle]]s, was kept to avoid start up problems in the central and southern regions, where winter temperatures normally drop below {{Convert|15|°C|°F|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Cold101/> An improved flex motor generation was launched in 2009 and allowed to eliminate the need for this secondary gas reservoir tank.<ref name=BioEnergia>{{cite journal|url=http://cenbio.iee.usp.br/download/revista/RBB3.pdf |title=Here comes the 'Flex' vehicles third generation |journal=Revista Brasileira de BioEnergia |publisher=Centro Nacional de Referência em Biomassa (Cenbio) |date=August 2008 |access-date=2008-09-23 |language=pt |author1=<Please add first missing authors to populate metadata.> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003062358/http://cenbio.iee.usp.br/download/revista/RBB3.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-03 }} Ano 2, No. 3 (every article is presented in both English and Portuguese)</ref><ref name="Gazeta">{{cite news |url=http://portal.rpc.com.br/gazetadopovo/economia/conteudo.phtml?tl=1&id=774927&tit= |title=Bosch investe na segunda geração do motor flex |publisher=Gazeta do Povo |author=Agência Estado |date=2008-06-10 |access-date=2008-09-23 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110180712/http://portal.rpc.com.br/gazetadopovo/economia/conteudo.phtml?tl=1&id=774927&tit= |archive-date=2009-01-10 }}</ref> Another improvement was the reduction of fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions, between 10% and 15% as compared to flex motors sold in 2008.<ref name="Gazeta" /> In March 2009 [[Volkswagen do Brasil]] launched the [[Volkswagen Polo|Polo E-Flex]], the first flex fuel model without an auxiliary tank for cold start.<ref name="FlexStart1">{{cite news |url=http://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/carros/lancamentos/volkswagen-polo-e-flex-425390.shtml |author=Quatro Rodas |publisher=[[Editora Abril]] |title=Volkswagen Polo E-Flex |date=March 2009 |access-date=2003-03-12 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307000657/http://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/carros/lancamentos/volkswagen-polo-e-flex-425390.shtml |archive-date=2009-03-07 }}</ref><ref name="FlexStart2">{{cite web|url=http://www.unica.com.br/noticias/show.asp?nwsCode=0548296D-D8CE-4E25-9973-BF18D30BDFFD |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206040122/http://www.unica.com.br/noticias/show.asp?nwsCode=0548296D-D8CE-4E25-9973-BF18D30BDFFD |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-06 |publisher=[[UNICA, Brazil|UNICA]] |title=Volks lança sistema que elimina tanquinho de gasolina para partida a frio |date=2009-03-12 |access-date=2003-03-12 |language=pt }}</ref> [[File:Tanquinho Celta GM FlexPower 02 SAO 10 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Typical Brazilian flexible-fuel engine with secondary gasoline reservoir for cold starting the engine at temperatures below {{Convert|15|C|F|lk=on}}]] A key innovation in the Brazilian flex technology was avoiding the need for an additional dedicated sensor to monitor the ethanol-gasoline mix, which made the first American [[M85 fuel|M85]] flex fuel vehicles too expensive.<ref name="VejaFlex">{{cite magazine|url=http://veja.abril.com.br/010206/p_096.html|title=A riqueza é o saber|author=João Gabriel de Lima|magazine=[[Veja (magazine)|Revista Veja]]|date=2006-02-01|access-date=2008-08-19|language=pt|archive-date=2008-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905045523/http://veja.abril.com.br/010206/p_096.html|url-status=dead}} Print edition No. 1941</ref>

Brazilian flex cars are capable of running on just [[hydrated]] ethanol (E100), or just on a blend of gasoline with 25 to 27% anhydrous ethanol (the mandatory blend), or on any arbitrary combination of both fuels.<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="Portaria2007">{{cite web|url=http://extranet.agricultura.gov.br/sislegis-consulta/consultarLegislacao.do?operacao=visualizar&id=17886|title=Portaria Nº 143, de 27 de Junho de 2007|publisher=Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento|access-date=2008-10-05|language=pt}} This decree fixed the mandatory blend at 25% starting July 1, 2007</ref><ref name="Lei8723">{{cite web|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil/leis/L8723.htm |title=Lei Nº 8.723, de 28 de Outubro de 1993. Dispõe sobre a redução de emissão de poluentes por veículos automotores e dá outras providências |publisher=Casa Civil da Presidência da República |access-date=2008-10-05 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006162053/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil/leis/L8723.htm |archive-date=2008-10-06 |url-status=dead }} See article 9º and modifications approved by Law Nº 10.696, 2003-07-02 increasing the upper limit to 25%</ref>

The flexibility of Brazilian FFVs empowers the consumers to choose the fuel depending on current market prices. As ethanol [[Fuel economy in automobiles|fuel economy]] is lower than gasoline because of ethanol's energy content is close to 34% less per unit volume than gasoline,<ref>http://www.eia.doe.gov [http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/alternate/page/faq.html#12 DOE FAQ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821085349/http://www.eia.doe.gov/ |date=August 21, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="EEREFAQ">http://www.eere.energy.gov [http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/FAQ/5/0/0 Energy.gov site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128202103/http://www.eere.energy.gov/ |date=January 28, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="EIAATTF">[http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/alt_trans_fuel/attf.pdf#page=39 Alternative Fuel Efficiencies in Miles per Gallon.] [[United States Energy Information Administration]]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821085349/http://www.eia.doe.gov/|date=August 21, 2008}}</ref> flex cars running on ethanol get a lower mileage than when running on pure gasoline. However, this effect is partially offset by the usually lower price per liter of ethanol fuel. As a [[rule of thumb]], Brazilian consumers are frequently advised by the media to use more alcohol than gasoline in their mix only when ethanol prices are 30% lower or more than gasoline, as ethanol price fluctuates heavily depending on the result of seasonal sugar cane harvests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opiniaoweb.com/portal/alcool-ou-gasolina-saiba-qual-escolher-quando-for-abastecer/ |title=Álcool ou Gasolina? Saiba qual escolher quando for abastecer |author=JB Online |date=2007-11-20 |publisher=Opinaoweb|access-date=2008-08-24|language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.igf.com.br/aprende/dicas/dicasResp.aspx?dica_Id=1435 |title=Saiba o que fazer para economizar gasolina |author=InfoMoney |date=2007-05-30 |publisher=IGF |access-date=2008-08-24 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209060921/http://www.igf.com.br/aprende/dicas/dicasResp.aspx?dica_Id=1435 |archive-date=2009-02-09 }}</ref> [[File:Six full flex-fuel Brazilian automobiles 09 2008.jpg|thumb|Six typical flex-fuel models from several Brazilian carmakers, popularly known as "flex" cars, that run on any blend of [[hydrous]] ethanol ([[Neat ethanol fuel|E100]]) and [[common ethanol fuel mixtures#E20, E25|E20-E25 gasoline]]]] In March 2003 [[Volkswagen do Brasil]] launched in the market the [[Volkswagen Gol|Gol]] 1.6 Total Flex, the first commercial flexible fuel vehicle capable of running on any blend of gasoline and ethanol.<ref name="VW100flex">{{cite news |url=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060323/REUTERS/60323043/1111 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213023830/http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060323%2FREUTERS%2F60323043%2F1111 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-02-13 |title=Volkswagen to stop making gas-only cars for Brazil |newspaper=Automotive News |date=2006-03-23 |access-date=2008-10-18 }}</ref><ref name="VWhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.vwbr.com.br/VWBrasil/Historia/A-nova-Volkswagen.aspx |title=A Nova Volkswagen |publisher=Wolkswagen Brazil |access-date=2008-10-18 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915184129/http://www.vwbr.com.br/VWBrasil/Historia/A-nova-Volkswagen.aspx |archive-date=2008-09-15}}</ref><ref name="flex3years">{{cite web|url=http://www.parana-online.com.br/canal/automoveis/news/170341/ |title=Volkswagen lança Golf Total Flex 1.6 |work=Paraná Online |publisher=ParanaOnline |date=2006-03-30 |access-date=2008-10-18 |language=pt}}</ref> [[GM do Brasil]] followed three months later with the [[General Motors Corsa|Chevrolet Corsa]] 1.8 Flexpower, using an engine developed by a joint-venture with Fiat called PowerTrain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.parana-online.com.br/canal/automoveis/news/51805/ |title=GM lança Corsa 1.8 com motor "Flexpower" 2004|language=pt|trans-title=GM launches the 2004 Corsa 1.8 with "Flexpower" engine |author=Staff |work= O Estado do Paraná |date=2003-06-28|access-date=2015-11-24}}</ref> Passenger flex-fuel vehicles became a commercial success in the country, and {{As of|2013|12|lc=y}}, a total of 15 car manufacturers produce flex-fuel engines for the Brazilian market, dominating all light vehicle segments except sports cars, off-road vehicles and minivans.<ref name=ICCT2015/>

The production of flex-fuel cars and light commercial vehicles since 2003 reached the milestone of 10 million vehicles in March 2010.<ref name=Veja0310>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.abril.com.br/noticias/economia/brasil-alcanca-marca-10-milhoes-carros-flex-940397.shtml|title=Brasil alcança marca de 10 milhões de carros flex|magazine=[[Veja (magazine)|Veja]]|author=Agência Estado|date=2010-03-04|access-date=2010-03-07|language=pt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716023742/http://www.abril.com.br/noticias/economia/brasil-alcanca-marca-10-milhoes-carros-flex-940397.shtml|archive-date=2011-07-16}}</ref><ref name=GCC0310>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/03/anfavea-20100306.html#more=|title=Automakers in Brazil Hit 10M Flex-Fuel Vehicle Mark; Brazilian Sugarcane Association Urges Global Dissemination|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2010-03-06|access-date=2010-03-09}}</ref> At the end of 2012 registrations of flex-fuel cars and light trucks represented 87% of all passenger and light duty vehicles sold in the country in 2012,<ref name=ANFAVEA2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.virapagina.com.br/anfavea2013/|title=Anúario da Industria Automobilistica Brasileira 2012: Tabela 2.3 Produção por combustível – 1957/2012|author=ANFAVEA|publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brasil)|access-date=2013-11-17|language=pt|archive-date=2013-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206142837/http://www.virapagina.com.br/anfavea2013/|url-status=dead}}'' pp. 60–61''.</ref> and climbed to a 94% [[market share]] of all new passenger vehicles sales in 2013.<ref name=ICCT2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/Brazil%20PV%20Market%20Statistics%20Report.pdf |title=Brazil Passenger Vehicle Market Statistics: International comparative assessment of technology adoption and energy consumption |author1=Francisco Posada |author2=Cristiano Façanha |work=[[International Council on Clean Transportation]] (ICCT)|date=October 2015|access-date=2015-11-24}} ''See pp. 3 and 14.''</ref> Production passed the 20 million-unit mark in June 2013.<ref name=BR20miFlex>{{cite web|url=http://carros.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2013/06/28/brasil-chega-aos-20-milhoes-de-motores-flex-diz-anfavea.htm|title=Brasil chega aos 20 milhões de motores flex, diz Anfavea|language=pt|trans-title=Brazil reaches 20 million flex fuel cars|date=2013-06-28|author=Fernando Calmon|publisher=UOL Carros|access-date=2013-11-18}}</ref>

By the end of 2014, flex-fuel cars represented 54% of the Brazilian registered stock of light-duty vehicles, while gasoline only vehicles represented 34.3%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/carros/noticia/2015/05/com-vendas-em-queda-idade-media-de-veiculos-volta-subir-no-brasil.html|title=Com vendas em queda, idade média de veículos volta a subir no Brasil|language=pt|trans-title=Average age of Brazilian motorvehicles rises again while sales are falling|author=Staff|publisher=Revista Auto Esporte|date=2015-05-04|access-date=2015-08-27}}</ref> {{As of|2015|06}}, flex-fuel light-duty vehicle sales totaled 25.5 million units.<ref name=BR25miFlex>{{cite web|url=http://www.automotivebusiness.com.br/noticia/22288/motores-flex-precisam-de-mais-eficiencia|title=Motores flex precisam de mais eficiência|language=pt|trans-title=Flex engines require more efficiency|date=2015-07-07|author=Giovanna Riato|publisher=Automotive Business|access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref> The [[market share]] of flex vehicles reached 88.6% of all light-duty registrations in 2017. {{Asof|2018|03}}, fifteen years after the launch of the first flex fuel car, there were 30.5 million flex cars and light trucks registered in the country, and 6 million flex motorcycles.<ref name=BR30mFlex>{{cite news |url=http://www.automotivebusiness.com.br/inovacao/56/carro-flex-chega-aos-15-anos-com-305-milhoes-de-unidades |title=Carro flex chega aos 15 anos com 30,5 milhões de unidades |language=pt |trans-title=Flex car arrives at 15 with 30.5 million units |first=Mário |last=Curcio |work=Automotive Business |date=2018-03-23 |access-date=2018-12-15 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925154218/http://www.automotivebusiness.com.br/inovacao/56/carro-flex-chega-aos-15-anos-com-305-milhoes-de-unidades |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The rapid success of flex vehicles was made possible by the existence of 33,000 filling stations with at least one ethanol pump available by 2006, a heritage of the early ''Pró-Álcool'' ethanol program.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite web|url=http://www.wilsoncenter.org/topics/pubs/Brazil_SR_e3.pdf |title=Brazil Institute Special Report: The Global Dynamics of Biofuels |editor=Daniel Budny and Paulo Sotero|publisher=Brazil Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center |date=April 2007 |access-date=2008-05-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528051442/http://www.wilsoncenter.org/topics/pubs/Brazil_SR_e3.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-28 }}</ref><ref name="Apollo">{{Cite book | author1 = Inslee, Jay | author2 = Bracken Hendricks | title = Apollo's Fire | year = 2007 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/apollosfireignit00insl/page/153 153]–155, 160–161 | publisher = Island Press, Washington, D.C. | isbn = 978-1-59726-175-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/apollosfireignit00insl | url-access = registration }} ''See Chapter 6. Homegrown Energy.''</ref> These facts, together with the mandatory use of [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures|E25]] blend of gasoline throughout the country,<ref name="Portaria2007" /> allowed Brazil in 2008 to achieve more than 50% of fuel consumption in the gasoline market from sugar cane-based ethanol.<ref name="ANP07_2008">{{cite web |url=http://br.invertia.com/noticias/noticia.aspx?idNoticia=200807152306_ABR_77211977 |title=ANP: consumo de álcool combustível é 50% maior em 2007 |author=Agência Brasil |date=2008-07-15 |publisher=Invertia |access-date=2008-08-09 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226014527/http://br.invertia.com/noticias/noticia.aspx?idNoticia=200807152306_ABR_77211977 |archive-date=2008-12-26 }}</ref><ref name="ANP02_2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.agropecuariabrasil.com.br/anp-estima-que-consumo-de-alcool-supere-gasolina/ |title=ANP estima que consumo de álcool supere gasolina |author=Gazeta Mercantil |year=2008 |publisher=Agropecuária Brasil |access-date=2008-08-09 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601174307/http://www.agropecuariabrasil.com.br/anp-estima-que-consumo-de-alcool-supere-gasolina/ |archive-date=June 1, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Brazil48_20">{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080507/COMMENTARY/381443705/1012/commentary |title=Brazil's energy plan examined |author=D. Sean Shurtleff |date=2008-05-07|newspaper=The Washington Times |access-date=2008-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510071440/http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080507/COMMENTARY/381443705/1012/commentary |archive-date = May 10, 2008 }}</ref>

According to two separate research studies conducted in 2009, at the national level 65% of the flex-fuel registered vehicles regularly used ethanol fuel, and the usage climbed to 93% in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]], the main ethanol producer state where local taxes are lower, and prices at the pump are more competitive than gasoline.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://automoveis.dgabc.com.br/default.asp?pt=secao&pg=detalhe&c=11&id=5769540&titulo=Etanol+e+usado+em+65%+da+frota+flexivel|title=Etanol é usado em 65% da frota flexível|publisher=Diario do Grande ABC|date=2009-09-30|author=Wagner Oliveira|access-date=2009-10-18|language=pt}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> However, as a result of higher ethanol prices caused by the [[Ethanol fuel in Brazil#2009.E2.80.932013|Brazilian ethanol industry crisis that began in 2009]], combined with government subsidies to keep gasoline price lower than the international market value, by November 2013 only 23% flex-fuel car owners were using ethanol, down from 66% in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://info.abril.com.br/noticias/tecnologias-verdes/2013/11/etanol-e-usado-hoje-em-apenas-23-dos-carros.shtml|title=Etanol é usado hoje em apenas 23% dos carros|language=pt|trans-title=Today just 23% of flex fuel cars are using ethanol|author=O Estado de S. Paulo|publisher=[[Revista Veja]]|date=2013-11-14|access-date=2013-11-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516175953/http://info.abril.com.br/noticias/tecnologias-verdes/2013/11/etanol-e-usado-hoje-em-apenas-23-dos-carros.shtml|archive-date=2016-05-16|author-link=O Estado de S. Paulo}}</ref> [[File:Honda BIZ flex 12 2013 MGF 02.jpg|thumb|left|The Honda Biz 125 flex is one of the five flex-fuel motorcycles available in Brazil.]] One of the latest innovation within the Brazilian flexible-fuel technology is the development of flex-fuel [[motorcycles]]. The first flex-fuel motorcycle was launched by [[Honda]] in March 2009, the [[CG 150 Titan Mix]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090311CG150-TITAN-MIX-in-Brazil/ |author=Honda News Release |publisher=[[Honda]] |title=Honda Begins Sales of Flex Fuel Motorcycle CG150 TITAN MIX in Brazil |date=2003-03-11 |access-date=2003-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313232957/http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090311CG150-TITAN-MIX-in-Brazil/ |archive-date=2009-03-13 }}</ref><ref name="MotoFlex2">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE53S4V420090429?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews |title=Motorcycle joins Brazil's biofueled fleet|work=Reuters |author1=Reese Ewing |author2=Lisa Shumaker |date= 2009-04-29|access-date=2009-04-30}}</ref> In September 2009, Honda launched a second flexible-fuel motorcycle, the on-off-road [[Honda NXR 150 Bros Mix|NXR 150 Bros Mix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motodriver.com.br/2009/09/nova-honda-nxr-150-bros-mix-e-a-1-on-off-road-com-tecnologia-bicombustivel-do-brasil/ |title=Nova Honda NXR 150 Bros Mix é a 1ª On-Off Road com tecnologia bicombustível do Brasil |publisher=MotoDriver |date=2009-09-17 |access-date=2010-02-10 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929015513/http://www.motodriver.com.br/2009/09/nova-honda-nxr-150-bros-mix-e-a-1-on-off-road-com-tecnologia-bicombustivel-do-brasil/ |archive-date=2009-09-29 }}</ref> By December 2012 the five available models of flexible-fuel motorcycles from Honda and Yamaha reached a cumulative production of 2,291,072 units, representing 31.8% of all motorcycles manufactured in Brazil since 2009, and 48.2% of motorcycle production in 2012.<ref name=MotoFlex09>{{cite web|url=http://unica.com.br/noticias/show.asp?nwsCode=4771CECF-FDB8-43B5-9CF9-E342B99F5C23 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205031059/http://unica.com.br/noticias/show.asp?nwsCode=4771CECF-FDB8-43B5-9CF9-E342B99F5C23 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-05 |title=Motos flex foram as mais vendidas em 2009 na categoria 150cc |author=Abraciclo |publisher=[[UNICA, Brazil|UNICA]] |date=2010-01-27 |access-date=2010-02-10 |language=pt }}</ref><ref name=MotoFlex10/><ref name=MotoFlex11/><ref name=MotoFlex12/> Flexible-fuel motorcycle production passed the 3 million-unit milestone in October 2013.<ref name=MotoFlex3mi>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br/honda-comemora-3-milhoes-de-motos-flex-produzidas-com-edicao-especial-flexone/|title=Honda comemora 3 milhões de motos flex produzidas com edição especial FlexOne|language=pt|trans-title=Honda commemorates 3 million flexible-fuel motorcycles produced with FlexOne special edition|author=Leonardo Andrade|publisher=Notícias Automotivas|date=2013-10-08|access-date=2013-11-17|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160519033839/http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br/honda-comemora-3-milhoes-de-motos-flex-produzidas-com-edicao-especial-flexone/|archive-date=2016-05-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 4 million mark was reached in March 2015.<ref name=MotoFlex4mi>{{cite web|url=http://revistaautoesporte.globo.com/Noticias/noticia/2015/03/honda-chega-4-milhoes-de-motos-flex-produzidas-no-brasil.html|title=Honda chega a 4 milhões de Motos Flex Produzidas no Brasil|language=pt|trans-title=Honda reaches 4 million flexible-fuel motorcycles produced in Brazil|author=Staff|publisher=Revista Auto Esporte|date=2015-03-09|access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref> {{Clear}}

=== Europe ===

==== Sweden ==== {{See also|Ethanol fuel in Sweden}} {| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px" ! colspan="4" style="text-align:center; background:#abcdef;"| Flexi-fuel sales in Sweden Sales by year (2001–2014) |- ! style="background:#abcdef;"| Year || style="background:#abcdef;"| Sales || style="background:#abcdef;"| Year || style="background:#abcdef;"| Sales |- |2001||{{center|717}}|| 2008 ||{{center|57,628}} |- |2002|| {{center|1,926}} ||2009 ||{{center|39,848}} |- |2003|| {{center|1,669}} || 2010 ||{{center|35,256}} |- |2004|| {{center|1,074}}|| 2011|| {{center| 15,379<ref name=SwedenSales2012/>}} |- |2005|| {{center|17,232}} || 2012|| {{center| 5,699<ref name=SwedenSales2012/>}} |- |2006 ||{{center|25,868}} || 2013 || {{center| 2,914<ref name=SwedenSales2014/>}} |- |2007 || {{center|35,499}} || 2014 ||{{center| 2,427<ref name=SwedenSales2014/>}} |- style="background:#abcdef;" | colspan="2" style="text-align:right; "|Total 2001–2014|| colspan="2" style="background:#abcdef;"|{{center|243,136}} |- | colspan="4" | Sources: 2001–2010 BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation,<ref name=BAFF/> and 2011–2014 Bil Sweden.<ref name=SwedenSales2012/><ref name=SwedenSales2014/> |}

Flexible-fuel vehicles were introduced in Sweden as a demonstration test in 1994, when three [[Ford Taurus]] were imported to show the technology existed. Because of the existing interest, a project was started in 1995 with 50 Ford Taurus E85 flexifuel in different parts of Sweden: [[Umeå]], [[Örnsköldsvik]], [[Härnösand]], [[Stockholm]], [[Karlstad]], [[Linköping]], and [[Växjö]]. From 1997 to 1998 an additional 300 Taurus were imported, and the number of E85 fueling grew to 40.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baff.info/english/vehicles_FFV_cars.cfm |author=BAFF |publisher=BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation |title=FFV-Vehicles: Environmental class 1 |access-date=2008-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024185531/http://www.baff.info/english/vehicles_FFV_cars.cfm |archive-date=2008-10-24 }}</ref> Then in 1998 the city of Stockholm placed an order for 2,000 of FFVs for any car manufacturer willing to produce them. The objective was to jump-start the FFV industry in Sweden. The two domestic car makers [[Volvo|Volvo Group]] and [[Saab AB]] refused to participate arguing there were not in place any ethanol filling stations. However, [[Ford Motor Company]] took the offer and began importing the flexifuel version of its [[Ford Focus (International)|Focus]] model, delivering the first cars in 2001, and selling more than 15,000 FFV Focus by 2005, then representing an 80% market share of the flexifuel market.<ref name="EthaMag08" />

In 2005 both Volvo and Saab introduced to the Sweden market their flexifuel models. Saab began selling its [[Saab 9-5|9-5 2.0 Biopower]], joined in 2006 by its 9-5 2.3 Biopower. Volvo introduced its [[Volvo S40|S40]] and [[Volvo V50|V50]] with flexible-fuel engines, joined in late 2006 by the new [[Volvo C30|C30]]. All Volvo models were initially restricted to the Sweden market, until 2007, when these three models were launched in eight new European markets.<ref name="Volvo06">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/2061108.005/volvo-expands-range-of-flexifuel-cars | title=Volvo Expands Range of FlexiFuel Cars | author=Volvo Cars Press Release| publisher=World Car Fans | date=2006-11-08 | access-date=2008-08-24 }}</ref> In 2007, Saab also started selling a BioPower version of its popular [[Saab 9-3]] line. In 2008 the Saab-derived [[Cadillac BLS]] was introduced with E85 compatible engines, and Volvo launched the [[Volvo V70|V70]] with a 2.5-litre turbocharged Flexifuel engine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.volvocars.com/intl/corporation/FactsandFigures/Pages/default.aspx | title=About Volvo Corporation 2007 and 2008 | publisher=Volvo Cars | year=2008 | access-date=2008-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629210151/http://www.volvocars.com/intl/corporation/FactsandFigures/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date = June 29, 2008 }}</ref> [[File:Saab 9-3 SportCombi 1.8t BioPower Facelift front.JPG|left|thumb|[[Saab 9-3]] SportCombi BioPower. The second [[E85]] model introduced by Saab in the Swedish market in 2007.]] All flexible-fuel vehicles in Sweden use an E75 winter blend instead of E85 to avoid engine starting problems during cold weather.<ref name="E75" /> This blend was introduced since the winter 2006–07 and E75 is used from November until March.<ref name="SEKAB" /> For temperature below {{Convert|-15|°C|°F|abbr=on}} E85 flex vehicles require an engine block heater.<ref name="SEKAB" /> The use of this device is also recommended for gasoline vehicles when temperatures drop below {{Convert|-23|°C|°F}}.<ref name="SusEthanol"/> Another option when extreme cold weather is expected is to add more pure gasoline in the tank, thus reducing the ethanol content below the E75 winter blend, or simply not to use E85 during extreme low temperature spells.<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="SEKAB" />

Sweden has achieved the largest E85 flexible-fuel vehicle fleet in Europe, with a sharp growth from 717 vehicles in 2001 to 243,136 through December 2014.<ref name=BAFF>{{cite web|url=http://www.baff.info/english/ |title=Bought ethanol cars |author=BAFF |publisher=BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation |date=January 2015 |access-date=2015-08-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721190138/http://www.baff.info/english/ |archive-date=2011-07-21 }} ''Click on the graph "Bought ethanol cars" showing total sales of E85 flexifuels by year since 2001. A total of 229,400 units is reported by 2015''.</ref><ref name=SwedenSales2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.bilsweden.se/statistik/nyregistreringar_per_ar/arkiv_1997-2012/nyregisteringar-per-ar-2012/definitiva-nyregistreringar-2012|title=Definitiva nyregistreringar 2012|language=sv|trans-title=Final registrations in 2012|author=Bil Sweden|publisher=Bil Sweden|access-date=2015-08-26}} ''Download file "Definitiva nyregistreringar 2012" see table: "Nyregistrerade miljöbilar per typ december 2012" with summary of E85 passenger car registrations for 2012 and 2011''</ref><ref name=SwedenSales2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.bilsweden.se/statistik/arkiv-nyregistrering_per_manad_2014/nyregistreringar-december-2014-(prel)|title=Nyregistreringar december 2014 (prel)|language=sv|trans-title=New registrations in December 2014 (preliminar)|author=Bil Sweden|publisher=Bil Sweden|date=2015-01-02|access-date=2015-08-26|archive-date=2015-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104034320/http://www.bilsweden.se/statistik/arkiv-nyregistrering_per_manad_2014/nyregistreringar-december-2014-(prel)|url-status=dead}} ''Download file "Nyregistreringar december 2014 (prel)" see table: "Nyregistrerade miljöbilar per typ december 2014" with summary of E85 passenger car registrations for 2014 and 2013''</ref><ref name="EthaMag08">{{cite web |url=http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4463 |title=FFVs flourish in Sweden |author=Eric Kroh |publisher=Ethanol Producer Magazine |date=August 2008 |access-date=2008-08-22 |archive-date=20 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220083831/http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4463 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2008 a total of 70% of all flexifuel vehicles operating in the EU were registered in Sweden.<ref name="BESTReport">{{cite web|url=http://www.eve.es/ecomovil/pdf/BEST_FinalReport.pdf |title=BioEthanol for Sustainable Transport: Results and recommendations from the European BEST project |author=BEST Cities and Regions |publisher=Environmental and Health Administration, City of Stockholm |year=2009 |access-date=2011-05-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100930040041/http://www.eve.es/ecomovil/pdf/BEST_FinalReport.pdf |archive-date=2010-09-30 }} pp. 8</ref> The recent and accelerated growth of the Swedish fleet of E85 flexifuel vehicles is the result of the National Climate Policy in Global Cooperation Bill passed in 2005, which not only ratified the [[Kyoto Protocol]] but also sought to meet the [[Directive on the Promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport|2003 EU Biofuels Directive]] regarding targets for use of [[biofuel]]s, and also let to the 2006 government's commitment to eliminate oil imports by 2020.<ref name="EthaMag08" /><ref name="IADB">{{cite web |url=http://www.iadb.org/biofuels/ | title=A Blueprint for Green Energy in the Americas | author=Garten Rothkopf | publisher= [[Inter-American Development Bank]] | year=2007 | access-date=2008-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822142158/http://www.iadb.org/biofuels/ |archive-date = August 22, 2008}} ''See sections or chapters on Brazil (Chp 1), the US (3.3), Europe (Chp 4), and Sweden (4.11)''</ref>

[[File:Volvo s40 2nd generations 2.jpg|thumb|The 2005 [[Volvo S40|Volvo FlexiFuel S40]] was one of the first E85 flexible fuel cars available in the country produced by a Swedish automaker. The Volvo FlexiFuel is now offered on the European market.]]

In order to achieve these goals several government incentives were implemented. Ethanol, as the other biofuels, was exempted of both, the CO2 and energy taxes until 2009, resulting in a 30% price reduction at the pump of E85 fuel over gasoline. Furthermore, other demand side incentives for flexifuel vehicle owners include a {{USD|1,800}} bonus to buyers of FFVs, exemption from the [[Stockholm congestion tax]], up to 20% discount on auto insurance, free parking spaces in most of the largest cities, owner annual registration taxes, and a 20% tax reduction for flexifuel company cars. Also, a part of the program, the Swedish Government ruled that 25% of their vehicle purchases (excluding police, fire and ambulance vehicles) must be alternative fuel vehicles.<ref name="EthaMag08" /><ref name="IADB" /><ref name="FordSweden">{{cite web|url=http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/environment/environment/env_euro_projects/-/-/-/- |title=Projects across Europe: The Swedish example |author=Ford U.K. |publisher=[[Ford Motor Company]] |year=2008 |access-date=2008-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024103013/http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/environment/environment/env_euro_projects/-/-/-/- |archive-date=October 24, 2008 }}</ref> By the first months of 2008, this package of incentives resulted in sales of flexible-fuel cars representing 25% of new car sales.<ref name="EthaMag08" />

On the supply side, since 2005 the gasoline fuelling stations selling more than 3 million liters of fuel a year are required to sell at least one type of biofuel, resulting in more than 1,200 gas stations selling E85 by August 2008.<ref name="EthaMag08" /><ref name="IADB" /> Despite all the sharp growth of E85 flexifuel cars, by 2007 they represented just two percent of the four million Swedish vehicles.<ref name="EthaMag04">{{cite web |url=http://www.ethanol-producer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3935 |title=Ethanol use increases in Sweden |author=Brian Warshaw |publisher=Ethanol Producer Magazine |date=April 2008 |access-date=2008-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027020440/http://www.ethanol-producer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3935 |archive-date=2008-10-27 }}</ref> In addition, this law also mandated all new filling stations to offer alternative fuels, and stations with an annual volume of more than one million liters are required to have an alternative fuel pump by December 2009. Therefore, the number of E85 pumps is expected to reach by 2009 nearly 60% of Sweden's 4,000 filling stations.<ref name="FordSweden" />

The Swedish-made [[Koenigsegg Jesko|Koenigsegg Jesko 300]], the low [[downforce]] version of the [[Koenigsegg Jesko]], is currently the fastest and most powerful flexible fuel vehicle with its [[turbocharged]] [[V8 engine|V8]] producing over 1600 hp when running on biofuel, as compared to 1280 hp on 95 [[Octane rating|octane]] unleaded gasoline.<ref name="tgmag">{{Cite news|url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/geneva-motor-show/this-is-the-koenigsegg-jesko-and-it-is-the-worlds-first-300mph-hypercar|title=This is the Koenigsegg Jesko, the world's first 300mph car|last=Rix|first=Jack|date=2019-03-05|newspaper=[[Top Gear Magazine]]|access-date=2019-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koenigsegg.com/car/jesko/|title=Koenigsegg Jesko|date=2019-03-07|website=www.koenigsegg.com|publisher=Koenigsegg Automotive AB|access-date=2019-08-24|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044351/https://www.koenigsegg.com/car/jesko/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Other European countries ==== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" ! colspan="4" style="text-align:center; background:#f3d161;"| Bioethanol [[E85]] stations {{EU}}, UK and Norway<ref name=korridor>{{cite web|url=http://www.korridor.se/aryan/acadiane/E85/stationsadmin/stations_search.phtml|title=Search tool to locate E85 in European countries|author=Korridor AB|access-date=2011-08-30}} ''This tool works in ten languages''</ref> |- ! style="background:#f3d161; text-align:center;"| Country ! style="background:#f3d161; text-align:center;"| Number Stations ! style="background:#f3d161; text-align:center;"| As of (date) ! style="background:#f3d161; text-align:center;"| Stat/106 persons |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{SWE}}<ref name=korridor/>|| style="text-align:right;"| 1,723 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"| 184.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{HUN}}<ref name="korridor" /> || style="text-align:right;"| 426 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 ||style="text-align:right;"| 42.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{GER}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 353 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 ||style="text-align:right;"| 4.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{FRA}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 304 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"| 4.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Czech Republic}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 169|| style="text-align:center;"| 2011 ||style="text-align:right;"| 16.1 |- | style="text-align:left;" |{{FIN}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.st1.fi/asemahaku/|title=Asemahaku|website=St1 Verkkokauppa|language=fi|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abcasemat.fi/en/stations|title=Stations|website=ABC-asemat|language=fi|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>|| style="text-align:right;" | 148 || style="text-align:center;" | 2020|| style="text-align:right;" | ? |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{SUI}}<ref name=korridor/><ref name=schweizerbauer>{{cite web|url=http://www.schweizerbauer.ch/htmls/artikel_17114.html|title=Schweiz: E85 mit besserer Ökobilanz als herkömmliche Treibstoffe|publisher=Schweizer Bauer|date=2008-06-23|language=de|access-date=2008-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107053056/http://www.schweizerbauer.ch/htmls/artikel_17114.html|archive-date=2009-01-07}}</ref> || style="text-align:right;"| 62 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"| 7.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{NED}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 48 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 ||style="text-align:right;"| 2.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{IRL}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 34|| style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"| 5.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{AUT}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 29 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 ||style="text-align:right;"| 3.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{UK}}<ref name=korridor/><ref name="Morrison">{{cite web|url=http://www.korridor.se/aryan/acadiane/E85/stationsadmin/Google_maps.phtml?country=uk&searchterm= |title=E85 Pump stations map locator in the UK|publisher=Korridor.se with Google Maps|access-date=2008-10-08}} ''Only Morrison Supermarkets BioEthanol E85 reported''</ref><ref name="BelBioE85" /> || style="text-align:right;"|21 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"|0.34 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{NOR}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 19 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"| 2.30 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{ESP}}<ref name=korridor/> || style="text-align:right;"| 19 || style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"| 0.18 |- |colspan="4" | Note: Only countries with ten or more E85 stations are included. For other countries search here<ref name="korridor" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korridor.se/aryan/acadiane/E85/stationsadmin/stations_search.phtml|title=Stations – E85 – stations – Search|website=www.korridor.se}}</ref> |} Flexifuel vehicles are sold in 18 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.<ref name="EU_Ford">{{cite web|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/01/10/ford-is-flex-fuel-top-seller-in-germany/ |title=Ford is flex-fuel top seller in Germany |author= Xavier Navarro| publisher=Autoblog green|date=2008-01-10|access-date=2008-09-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/02/fords-flexifuel.html |title=Ford is flex-fuel top seller in Germany | publisher=Green Car Congress|date=2008-02-08|access-date=2008-09-01 }}</ref> Ford, Volvo and Saab are the main automakers offering flexifuel autos in the region.<ref name="Volvo06" /><ref name="EU_Ford" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/bioethanol-volvo-cars.htm|title=Volvo Goes Green: BioEthanol 'FlexiFuel' Cars Launched in Europe |author=Motoring Channel Staff |publisher=Wombat|date=2006-11-16 |access-date=2008-09-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/motoring/saab-brings-flexi%11fuel-and-style-to-new-9%113-models/|title=Saab brings flexi-fuel and style to new 9-3 models|date=2007-11-21|newspaper=Galway Independent|access-date=2008-09-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204173626/http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/motoring/saab-brings-flexi%11fuel-and-style-to-new-9%113-models/|archive-date=2008-12-04}}</ref>

===== France ===== [[Biofuel]] cars in general get strong tax incentives in France, including a 0 or 50% reduction on the tax on new vehicles, and a 40% reduction on CO2 tax for new cars. For company cars there is a corporate car tax free for two years and a recovery of 80% of the [[value added tax]] (VAT) on E85 vehicles.<ref name="BelBioE85" /> Also, E85 fuel price is set significantly lower than diesel or gasoline, resulting in E85 at [[Euro|€]] 0.80, diesel at €1.15, and gasoline at €1.30 per [[liter]], as of April 2007. By May 2008, France had 211 pumps selling E85,<ref name="FrenchE85">{{cite web|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/08/stillborn-french-gas-stations-chain-stops-selling-e85/ |title=Stillborn: French gas stations chain stops selling E85 |first=Les|last=Echos|date=2008-05-08 |publisher=AutoblogGreen|access-date=2008-09-17 }}</ref> even though the government made plans for the installation of up to 500 E85 pumps by year end 2007.<ref name="PricesSWE08" /> French automakers [[Renault]] and [[PSA Peugeot Citroën|PSA]] (Citroen & Peugeot) announced they will start selling FFV cars beginning in the summer 2007.

===== Germany ===== Biofuel emphasis in Germany is on [[biodiesel]],<ref name="IADB" /> and no specific incentives have been granted for E85 flex-fuel cars; however, there is complete exemption of taxes on all biofuels while there is a normal tax of €0.65 per liter of petroleum fuels.<ref name="IADB" /><ref name="BelBioE85" /> The distribution of E85 began in 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e85.biz/index.php?page=150|title=E85|publisher=e85biz|access-date=2008-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230211914/http://www.e85.biz/index.php?page=150|archive-date=2008-12-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> and with 219 stations as of September 2008, Germany ranks second after Sweden with the most E85 fueling stations in the [[European Union|EU]].<ref name="e85.biz">{{cite web|url=http://www.e85.biz/media/archive1/ethanol-tankstellen-d.pdf |date=2008-09-16 |title=Bioethanoltankstellen in Deutschland |language=de |publisher=e85.biz |access-date=2008-09-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911063751/http://www.e85.biz/media/archive1/ethanol-tankstellen-d.pdf |archive-date=September 11, 2008 }} As of 2008-09-16</ref> As of July 2012 retail prices of E85 was €1.09 per liter, and gasoline was priced at €1.60 per liter (for gasoline RON 95), then providing enough margin to compensate for ethanol's lower fuel economy.<ref name="PricesSWE08" /> Ford has offered the Ford Focus since August 2005 in Germany. Ford is about to offer also the [[Ford Mondeo|Mondeo]] and other models as FFV versions between 2008 and 2010. The Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3 Biopower, the [[Peugeot 308]] Bioflex, the [[Citroën C4]] Bioflex, the [[Audi A5]], two models of the [[Cadillac BLS]], and five Volvo models are also available in the German market by 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e85.biz/index.php?page=154|title=Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) in Germany|publisher=e85biz|access-date=2008-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230211929/http://www.e85.biz/index.php?page=154|archive-date=2008-12-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 2011, [[Automobile Dacia|Dacia]] offers the [[Dacia Logan#Logan MCV|Logan MCV]] with a 1.6l 16v flexfuel engine.

===== Ireland ===== Ireland is the third best seller European market of E85 flex-fuel vehicles, after Sweden and France.<ref name="IreE85">{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring/ireland-discovers-the-whey-to-go-13491640.html|title= Ireland discovers the whey to go...|newspaper=[[Belfast Telegraph]]|date=2007-11-07|access-date=2008-09-17 }}</ref> Bioethanol (E85) in Ireland is made from [[whey]], a waste product of [[cheese]] manufacturing.<ref name="IreE85" /> The Irish government established several incentives, including a 50% discount in vehicle registration taxes (VRT), which can account for more than one third of the retail price of a new car in Ireland (around €6,500). The bioethanol element of the E85 fuel is excise-free for fuel companies, allowing retail prices to be low enough to offset the 25 per cent cut in fuel economy that E-85 cars offer, due to ethanol's lower energy content than gasoline. Also, the value added tax (VAT) on the fuel can also be claimed back.<ref name="BelBioE85" /><ref name="IreE85" /> E-85 fuel is available across the country in more than 20 of [[Maxol]] service stations.<ref name="GalwayE85">{{cite news |url=http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/motoring/ford-expands-the-mondeo-options-with-flexi/ |title=Ford expands the Mondeo options with Flexi |author=Michael Moroney |date=2008-08-20 |newspaper=Galway Independent |access-date=2008-09-17 |archive-date=2008-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120071654/http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/motoring/ford-expands-the-mondeo-options-with-flexi/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2005, the 1.8 Ford Focus FFV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ford.ie/ns7/foc_c307/-/-/vhcl_news_item5/-/-/-/# |title=Flexible-fuel: A new innovation from Ford |publisher=[[Ford Motor Company]] |access-date=2008-09-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630232038/http://www.ford.ie/ns7/foc_c307/-/-/vhcl_news_item5/-/-/-/ |archive-date=June 30, 2008 }}</ref> became the first flexible-fuel vehicle to be commercially sold in Ireland. Later Ford launched the [[Ford C-Max|C-max]] and the Mondeo flexifuel models. Saab and Volvo also have E85 models available.<ref name="GalwayE85" /> [[File:Ford Focus Flexifuel in Madrid with flexifuel badging.jpg|thumb|The Ford Focus flexifuel was the first [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E85|E85]] flexible fuel vehicle commercially available in the European market.]]

From 1 January 2011 E85 fuel is no longer excise-free in Ireland. Maxol has announced they will not provide E85 when their current supplies have run out.<ref name="MaxolIreE85">{{cite web|url=http://www.maxol.ie/maxol-bioethanol-e85.html|publisher=The Maxol Group|website=www.maxol.ie|access-date=22 March 2018|url-status=dead|title=Maxol Bioethanol E85 – Maxol Group – Fuel for All Engines. Maxol is Irelands leading independent oil company|archive-date=28 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051631/http://www.maxol.ie/maxol-bioethanol-e85.html}}</ref>

===== Spain =====

The first flexifuel vehicles were introduced in Spain by late 2007, with the acquisition of 80 cars for use in the Spaniard official government fleet. At that time the country had only three gas stations selling [[Gasohol#E85|E85]], making necessary to deploy an official E85 fueling station in [[Madrid]] to attend these vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/30/spain-adding-flex-fuel-capability-to-official-fleet/|title=Spain adding flex-fuel capability to official fleet|publisher=AutoblogGreen|author=Xavier Navarro|access-date=2009-05-25|date=2007-12-30}}</ref> Despite the introduction in the Spaniard market of several flexifuel models, by the end of 2008 still persists the problems of adequate E85 fueling infrastructure, as only 10 gas stations were selling E85 fuel to the public in the entire country.<ref name=Spain1008>{{cite web|url=http://www.cotizalia.com/cache/2008/10/28/62_incorporaran_tecnologia_biopower_utiliza_bioetanol.html|title=Los Saab Aero 2009 incorporarán la tecnología BioPower, que utiliza bioetanol|publisher=Cotizalia|author=Europa Press|access-date=2009-05-25|date=2008-10-28|language=es|archive-date=14 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214172620/http://www.cotizalia.com/cache/2008/10/28/62_incorporaran_tecnologia_biopower_utiliza_bioetanol.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===== United Kingdom ===== The UK government established several incentives for E85 flex-fuel vehicles. These include a fuel duty rebate on E85 fuel of 20 [[Penny|p]] per liter, until 2010; a [[Pound sterling|£]]10 to 15 reduction in the [[vehicle excise duty]] (VED); and a 2% annual company car tax discount for flex-fuel cars.<ref name="BelBioE85">{{cite web|url=http://bioethanol.skynetblogs.be/post/4502748/etat-des-choses-dans-differents-pays-avril-20|title=Etat des choses dans différents pays (avril 2007)|publisher=Bio-Ethanol (E85) en Belgique|date=2007-05-08|access-date=2008-09-17|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231082937/http://bioethanol.skynetblogs.be/post/4502748/etat-des-choses-dans-differents-pays-avril-20|archive-date=2012-12-31|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite the small number of E85 pump stations available, limited to the [[Morrisons]] supermarket chain stations,<ref name="Morrison" /><ref name="BelBioE85" /> most automakers offer the same models in the UK that are available in the European market. In 2005 the Ford Focus Flexi-Fuel became the first flexible-fuel car sold in the UK, though E85 pumps were not opened until 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carpages.co.uk/ford/ford_focus_02_09_05.asp |title= First 'Green' Ford Focus Flexi-Fuel Car Arrives In Britain |publisher=CarPages|date=2005-09-02|access-date=2008-09-18}}</ref> Volvo now offers its flexifuel models [[Volvo S80|S80]], [[Volvo S40|S40]], [[Volvo C30|C30]], [[Volvo V50|V50]] and [[Volvo V70|V70]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoebid.com/autoenews/newsAEBSingle.php?artID=443 |title=Volvo increases its Flexifuel range |publisher=AutoeBid|date=2007-08-03|access-date=2008-09-18}}</ref> Other models available in the UK are the Ford C-Max Flexi-Fuel,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/fordflexifuel/story/0,,2139914,00.html |title=About Ford FFV – a small change making a big difference|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2007-08-02|access-date=2008-09-18 | location=London}}</ref> and the Saab models [[Saab 9-5|9-5]] and [[Saab 9-3|9-3]] Flex-Fuel Biopower, and the new [[Saab Aero X]] BioPower [[Neat ethanol fuel|E100]] bioethanol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saabbiopower.co.uk/saabBiopower/ |title=Saab BioPower|access-date=2008-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617082348/http://www.saabbiopower.co.uk/saabBiopower/ |archive-date = June 17, 2008 }}</ref> Despite being introduced around a decade ago, E85 is no longer commercially available in the UK<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/what-is-the-best-fuel-for-my-car-a-guide-to-different-fuel-types/|title = What is the best fuel for my car? A guide to different fuel types {{pipe}} RAC Drive}}</ref>

=== United States === {{Main|Flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States}} {{See also|E85 in the United States|Ethanol fuel in the United States}} {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |+E85 FFVs Manufactured and in Use in the United States 1998–2018 ! style="background:#cfc;"|Year !! style="background:#cfc;"|Light-Duty E85 FFVs sold/leased<ref name=USeDataBook2020>{{cite web |url=https://tedb.ornl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TEDB_Ed_38_04302020.pdf#page=176 |title=Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 38.1 |author1=Stacy C. Davis |author2=Robert G. Boundy |name-list-style=amp |publisher=[[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]], Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, [[U.S. Department of Energy]] |date=April 2020 |access-date=2020-05-23 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406194944/https://tedb.ornl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TEDB_Ed_38_04302020.pdf#page=176 |url-status=dead }} ''See Tables 6.1''</ref> !! style="background:#cfc;" |Light-Duty E85 FFVs net annual increase* !! style="background:#cfc;"|Total fleet E85 FFVs in use |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 1998 || 216,165 || 144,000 || 144,000 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 1999 || 426,724 || 306,149 || 450,148 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2000 || 600,832 || 456,947 || 907,096 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2001 || 581,774 || 466,203 || 1,373,299 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2002 || 834,976 || 700,719 || 2,074,018 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2003 || 859,261 || 750,437 || 2,824,455 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2004 || 674,678 || 609,437 || 3,433,892 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2005 || 743,948 || 683,217|| 4,117,109 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2006 || 1,011,399 || 960,287|| 5,077,396 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2007 || 1,115,069 || 1,076,902 || 6,154,298 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2008 || 1,175,345 || 1,149,389 || 7,303,687 |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2009 || 805,777|| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a. |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2010 || 1,484,945||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a. |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || 2,116,273||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a. |- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2012 || 2,466,966||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2013 || 2,665,470 ||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2014 || 2,433,113 ||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2015 || 1,881,500 ||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2016 || 1,272,091 ||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2017 || 1,150,097 ||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right;" | style="text-align:center;"| 2018 || 813,774 ||colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |n.a.

|- style="text-align:right; background:#cfc;" | style="text-align:center; "| Total|| style="background:#cfc;"|21,790,445 || style="background:#cfc;" colspan="2"|{{center|n.a.}} |- |- |colspan="4"|Note: * Net increase is new FFVs manufactured discounted by the survival rate. Source: [[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]]<ref name=EEREAP08>{{cite web|url=http://www.afdc.energy.gov/data/tab/vehicles/data_set/10299|title=On Road AFVs Made Available by Year|author=National Renewable Energy Laboratory [[U.S. Department of Energy|USDoE]]|publisher=Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center|date=2013-05-10|access-date=2013-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608134939/http://www.afdc.energy.gov/data/tab/vehicles/data_set/10299|archive-date=2013-06-08|url-status=dead}} ''Only includes vehicles "made available" for sale or lease of a new AFV'' Click to download the Excel file "10299_AFV_available.xlsx.</ref> |}

{{Asof|2017}}, there were more than 21 million E85 flex-fuel vehicles in the United States,<ref name=US20mFlex>{{cite web|url=https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/flexible_fuel.html |title=Alternative Fuels Data Center: Flexible Fuel Vehicles |work=Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy| access-date=2020-05-23|quote=According to IHS Markit, as of 2017, there were more than 21 million FFVs in the United States. }}</ref> up from about 11 million flex-fuel cars and light trucks in operation as of early 2013.<ref name=FFV11m>{{cite web|url=http://domesticfuel.com/2013/02/28/new-ethanol-video-released/|title=New Ethanol Video Released|author=Renewable Fuels Association|publisher=DomesticFuel.com|date=2013-03-28|access-date=2013-04-10|author-link=Renewable Fuels Association |work=Domestic Fuel }}</ref><ref name=E15>{{cite web|url=http://ethanolproducer.com/articles/9195/gm-ford-announce-e15-compatibility-with-new-models|title=GM, Ford announce E15 compatibility with new models|author=Susanne Retka Schill|publisher=Ethanol Producer Magazine|date=2012-10-17|access-date=2013-04-10}}</ref> The number of flex-fuel vehicles on U.S. roads increased from 1.4 million in 2001, to 4.1 million in 2005, and rose to 7.3 million in 2008.<ref name="SusEthanol">{{Cite book |author1=Goettemoeller, Jeffrey |author2=Adrian Goettemoeller | title = Sustainable Ethanol: Biofuels, Biorefineries, Cellulosic Biomass, Flex-Fuel Vehicles, and Sustainable Farming for Energy Independence | year = 2007| publisher = Prairie Oak Publishing, Maryville, Missouri |pages=56–61 | isbn = 978-0-9786293-0-4 }}</ref><ref name=EEREAP08/>

For the 2011 [[model year]] there are about 70 vehicles E85 capable, including [[sedan (car)|sedans]], [[van]]s, [[SUV]]s and [[pick-up truck]]s. Many of the models available in the market are trucks and [[sport-utility vehicle]]s getting less than {{Convert|20|mpgus|abbr=on}} when filled with gasoline.<ref name=Flex2009>{{cite news|url=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110505/OEM05/110509935/1186|title=Obama's fuel-efficiency push may lead fleets to use more gasoline|author1=Angela Greiling Keane |author2=Jeff Green |work=Bloomberg|publisher=[[Automotive News]]|date=2011-05-05|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> Actual consumption of E85 among flex-fuel vehicle owners is limited. Nevertheless, the [[U.S. Department of Energy]] estimated that in 2011 only 862,837 flex-fuel fleet-operated vehicles were regularly fueled with E85.<ref name=USeDataBook2014>{{cite web|url=http://cta.ornl.gov/data/tedb33/Edition33_Full_Doc.pdf |title=Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 33 |author1=Stacy C. Davis |author2=Susan W. Diegel |author3=Robert G. Boundy |publisher=Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, [[U.S. Department of Energy]] |date=July 2014 |access-date=2015-08-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630150200/http://cta.ornl.gov/data/tedb33/Edition33_Full_Doc.pdf |archive-date=2015-06-30 }} See Table 6.1 pp. 6–3.</ref> As a result, from all the ethanol fuel consumed in the country in 2009, only 1% was E85 consumed by flex-fuel vehicles.<ref name=USeDataBook2>{{Cite journal| last = Davis|title = op. cit| year = 2011|pages = 2–6| display-authors = etal}} ''See Table 2.4''</ref>

The E85 blend is used in gasoline engines modified to accept such higher concentrations of ethanol, and the fuel injection is regulated through a dedicated sensor, which automatically detects the amount of ethanol in the fuel, allowing to adjust both fuel injection and spark timing accordingly to the actual blend available in the vehicle's tank. Because ethanol contains close to 34% less energy per unit volume than gasoline, E85 FFVs have a lower mileage per gallon than gasoline.<ref name="EEREFAQ" /><ref name="EIAATTF" /> Based on EPA tests for all 2006 E85 models, the average fuel economy for E85 vehicles was 25.56% lower than unleaded gasoline.<ref name="SusEthanol"/>

The American E85 flex-fuel vehicle was developed to run on any mixture of unleaded gasoline and ethanol, anywhere from 0% to 85% ethanol by volume. Both fuels are mixed in the same tank, and E85 is sold already blended. In order to reduce ethanol evaporative emissions and to avoid problems starting the engine during cold weather, the maximum blend of ethanol was set to 85%.<ref name="ColdE85" /> There is also a seasonal reduction of the ethanol content to E70 (called winter E85 blend) in very cold regions,<ref name="E70green">{{cite web |url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/27/when-is-e85-not-85-percent-ethanol-when-its-e70-with-an-e85-st/ | title= When is E85 not 85 percent ethanol? When it's E70 with an E85 sticker on it |author1=Ethanol Promotion |author2=Information Council | publisher= AutoblogGreen | date=2007-02-27 | access-date=2008-08-19 }}</ref> where temperatures fall below {{convert|0|°C|°F|abbr=on}} during the winter.<ref name="ColdE85" /><ref name="Cold2E85" /> In [[Wyoming]] for example, E70 is sold as E85 from October to May.<ref name="E70green" /> [[File:Three US E85 flex fuel badges Ford GM Chrysler copy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.13|Typical labeling used in the US to identify E85 flex-fuel vehicles. Top left: a small sticker in the back of the fuel filler door. Bottom left: the bright yellow gas cap now used in newer models. E85 Flexfuel badging used in newer models from [[Chrysler]] (top right), [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] (middle right) and [[General Motors|GM]] (bottom right).]] E85 flex-fuel vehicles are becoming increasingly common in the [[Midwest]], where [[maize|corn]] is a major [[agriculture|crop]] and is the primary feedstock for [[ethanol fuel]] production. Regional retail E85 prices vary widely across the US, with more favorable prices in the Midwest region, where most corn is grown and ethanol produced. Depending on the vehicle capabilities, the break-even price of E85 has to be between 25 and 30% lower than gasoline.<ref name="SusEthanol"/>

====Barriers to widespread adoption====

A 2005 survey found that 68% of American flex-fuel car owners were not aware they owned an E85 flex.<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="EERE08" /> This was because the exteriors of flex and non-flex vehicles look exactly the same; there is no sale price difference between them; the lack of consumers' awareness about E85s; and also the initial decision of American automakers of not putting any kind of exterior labeling, so buyers could be unaware they are purchasing an E85 vehicle.<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="Apollo" /> Since 2008, all new FFV models in the US feature a bright yellow gas cap to remind drivers of the E85 capabilities and proper flex-fuel badging.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2007-05-05-ethanolvehicles_N.htm| title= 'Flex-fuel' vehicles touted|work=[[USA Today]] | author=Ken Thomas | date=2007-05-07 | access-date= 2008-09-15 }}</ref><ref name="YellowCap">{{cite web |url=http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/vehiclebuyingguide/ig/Alt-fuels---New-York-Auto-Show/Yellow-E85-gas-cap.htm |title=Yellow E85 gas cap |publisher=About.com: Hybrid Cars & Alt Fuels |author1=Christine Gable |author2=Scott Gable |access-date=2008-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005054544/http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/vehiclebuyingguide/ig/Alt-fuels---New-York-Auto-Show/Yellow-E85-gas-cap.htm |archive-date=2008-10-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/10/more-gas-cap-news-chrysler-going-yellow-for-e85/ |title=More gas cap news: Chrysler going yellow for E85 |author=John Neff |date=2006-10-06 |publisher=AutoBlog|access-date=2008-10-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/28/afvi-ford-confirms-that-all-2008-police-interceptors-will-be-fl/ |title=AFVI: Ford confirms that all 2008 police interceptors will be flex-fuel |first=Sam |last=Abuelsamid |date=2007-03-28 |publisher=AutobogGreen |access-date=2008-10-08 }}</ref>

Some critics have argued that American automakers have been producing E85 flex models motivated by a loophole in the [[Corporate Average Fuel Economy]] (CAFE) requirements, that allows for a fuel economy credit for every flex-fuel vehicle sold, whether or not in practice these vehicles are fueled with E85.<ref name="Apollo" /><ref name="NYT082006">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/31/business/31loophole.html?emc=eta1 |title=Dual-Fuel Vehicles Open Mileage Loophole for Carmakers |author1=Alexei Barrionuevo |author2=Micheline Maynard |work=The New York Times|date=2006-08-31|access-date=2008-10-22 }}</ref> This loophole might allow the car industry to meet the CAFE targets in fuel economy just by spending between {{USD|100}} and {{USD|200}} that it cost to turn a conventional vehicle into a flex-fuel, without investing in new technology to improve fuel economy, and saving them the potential fines for not achieving that standard in a given model year.<ref name="NYT082006" /><ref name="Economist">{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10551762| title=Bumpy Ride for Biofuels | newspaper=The Economist | date=2008-01-18 | access-date=2008-09-14 }}</ref> The CAFE standards proposed in 2011 for the period 2017–2025 will allow flexible-fuel vehicles to receive extra credit but only when the carmakers present data proving how much E85 such vehicles have actually consumed.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/information/november_2011-table_of_contents|title=The CAFE Numbers Game: Making Sense of the New Fuel-Economy Regulations|author=Tony Quiroga|magazine=[[Car and Driver]]|date=November 2011|access-date=2011-10-24|page=20}}'' From the print edition of C&D.''</ref>

[[File:Chevrolet Impala FlexFuel 34 MIA 12 2008 with logo.jpg|thumb|2009 E85 FlexFuel [[Chevrolet Impala]] LT]]

A major restriction hampering sales of E85 flex vehicles, or fueling with E85, is the limited infrastructure available to sell E85 to the public with only 2% of the motor fuel stations offering E85 by March 2014.<ref name=EIA2014/> {{As of|2015|11}}, there were only 3,218 fueling stations selling E85 to the public in the entire U.S.,<ref name=E85prices>{{cite web|url=http://www.e85prices.com/ |title=E85 Prices |website=E85Prices.com |access-date=2015-11-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701095550/http://www.e85prices.com/ |archive-date=2014-07-01 }} ''{{As of|2015|11|23}}, there were 3,218 stations Selling E85 across 2013 cities in the U.S.''</ref> while about 156,000 retail motor fuel outlets do not offer any ethanol blend.<ref name=EIA2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=15311 |title=E85 fueling station availability is increasing|author1=Michael Bredehoeft |author2=Mindi Farber-DeAnda |publisher=[[U.S. Energy Information Administration]]|date=2014-03-07|access-date=2015-11-23}}</ref> In addition, there has been a great concentration of E85 stations in the [[Corn Belt]] states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e85refueling.com/ |title=E85 Refueling Location Search |publisher=National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition |access-date=2008-10-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022141938/http://www.e85refueling.com/ |archive-date=2008-10-22 }} Number of stations in leading states complemented with search on www.e85refueling.com</ref> The main constraint for a more rapid expansion of E85 availability is that it requires dedicated storage tanks at filling stations,<ref name="SusEthanol"/> at an estimated cost of {{USD|60,000}} for each dedicated ethanol tank.<ref name="C&E0907">{{cite magazine |url=http://pubs.acs.org/cen/government/85/8538gov1.html | title=Renewable Fuels Face Bumpy Road | first=Glen | last=Hess | magazine=Chemical & Engineering News | date=2007-09-17 | access-date=2008-08-19}} pp. 28–30</ref> The [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama Administration]] set the goal of installing 10,000 blender pumps nationwide until 2015, and to support this target the [[United States Department of Agriculture|US Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) issued a rule in May 2011 to include flexible fuel pumps in the [[Rural Energy for America Program]] (REAP). This ruling will provide financial assistance to fuel station owners to install E85 and blender pumps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/04/usda-issues-rule-to-provide-incentives-to-install-blender-pumps.html|title=USDA issues rule to provide incentives to install blender pumps|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2011-04-08|access-date=2011-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/04/us-funds-e-85-flex-fuel-pumps/1?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4dcaa3c3bd1fb265%2C0|title=USDA offers incentives to boost E-85 flex fuel use|author=Wendy Koch|work=[[USA Today]]|date=2011-04-08|access-date=2011-05-11}}</ref>

==== Flex fuel conversion kit ==== A flex fuel conversion kit is a kit that allows a conventional equipment manufactured vehicle to be altered to operate on propane, natural gas, methane gas, ethanol, or electricity are classified as aftermarket AFV conversions. All vehicle conversions, except those that are completed for a vehicle to run on electricity, must meet current applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Alternative Fuels|url=https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification|website = www3.epa.gov|access-date = 2015-10-12|first1 = US EPA, OAR, OTAQ, Compliance|last1 = Division|first2 = US|last2 = EPA}}</ref>

==== Latest developments ==== In 2008, Ford delivered the first flex-fuel [[plug-in hybrid]] as part of a demonstration project, a [[Ford Escape Hybrid|Ford Escape]] Plug-in Hybrid capable of running on E85 or gasoline.<ref name="FlesFuelHybrid" /> General Motors announced that the new [[Chevrolet Volt]] [[plug-in hybrid]], launched in the United States market in December 2010, would be flex-fuel-capable in 2013.<ref name=Volt2013>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/automobiles/17VOLT.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Chevy%20Volt&st=cse|title=Sorting Myth From Fact as Volt Makes Its Debut|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Norman Mayersohn|date=2010-10-15|access-date=2010-10-17}}</ref> [[General Motors do Brasil]] announced that it will import from five to ten Volts to Brazil during the first semester of 2011 as part of a demonstration and also to lobby the federal government to enact financial incentives for [[green vehicle|green cars]]. If successful, GM would adapt the Volt to operate on [[ethanol fuel]], as most new cars sold in Brazil are flex-fuel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20110110/not_imp664114,0.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731063437/http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20110110/not_imp664114,0.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-31 |title=GM vai trazer Volt para o Brasil para fazer testes |work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |date=2011-01-10 |access-date=2011-01-17 |language=pt }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://unica.com.br/noticias/show.asp?nwsCode=A9BA7BF7-5B3D-48B6-A250-435BAE8CF632 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719134939/http://unica.com.br/noticias/show.asp?nwsCode=A9BA7BF7-5B3D-48B6-A250-435BAE8CF632 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-19 |title=Carro híbrido Volt da GM deveria incluir tecnologia flex |publisher=[[UNICA, Brazil]] |date=2011-01-14 |access-date=2011-01-17 |language=pt }}</ref>[[File:Ford Escape Flex 7893 VA 11 09 with badge.jpg|thumb|2010 [[E85]] Flexfuel [[Ford Escape]]]]

In 2008, Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford pledged to manufacture 50 percent of their entire vehicle line as flexible fuel in model year 2012, if enough fueling infrastructure develops.<ref name="USAToday" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e85fuel.com/news/2008/091008_pelos/pelosi_letter_091008final.doc|title=Letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|publisher=e85fuel|date=2008-09-09|access-date=2008-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710162332/http://www.e85fuel.com/news/2008/091008_pelos/pelosi_letter_091008final.doc|archive-date=2011-07-10|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dancewithshadows.com/motor/gm-to-launch-18-flexible-fuel-vehicles-including-hummer-chevrolet-and-caddy-models/ |title=GM to launch 18 flexible fuel vehicles including Hummer, Chevrolet and Caddy models |publisher=Live Wire Edition |date=2008-08-22 |access-date=2008-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929132130/http://www.dancewithshadows.com/motor/gm-to-launch-18-flexible-fuel-vehicles-including-hummer-chevrolet-and-caddy-models/ |archive-date=2008-09-29 }}</ref> The [[Open Fuel Standard Act of 2011|Open Fuel Standard Act]] (OFS), introduced to Congress in May 2011, is intended to promote a massive adoption of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on ethanol or methanol. The bill requires that 50 percent of automobiles made in 2014, 80 percent in 2016, and 95 percent in 2017, would be manufactured and warranted to operate on non-petroleum-based fuels, which includes existing technologies such as flex-fuel, [[natural gas vehicle|natural gas]], [[hydrogen vehicle|hydrogen]], [[biodiesel]], [[plug-in electric vehicle|plug-in electric]] and [[fuel cell vehicle|fuel cell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/05/05/house-members-introduce-technology-neutral-open-fuel-standard-ac/|title=House members introduce technology-neutral Open Fuel Standard Act|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|author=Eric Loveday|date=2011-05-05|access-date=2011-05-05|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921124912/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/05/05/house-members-introduce-technology-neutral-open-fuel-standard-ac/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Bipartisan_Group_Introduces_Open_Fuel_Standard_Act-108547.html|title=Bipartisan Group Introduces Open Fuel Standard Act|publisher=Biofuels Journal|date=2011-05-04|access-date=2011-05-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910154859/http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Bipartisan_Group_Introduces_Open_Fuel_Standard_Act-108547.html|archive-date=2011-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/2/open-standards-for-auto-fuel/?page=1|title=ZUBRIN: Open standards for auto fuel|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Robert Zubrin|date=2010-07-02|access-date=2011-05-05}} ''A similar bill has been presented in previous Congress sessions with the same objective''.</ref>

{{As of|2014|12}}, almost half of new vehicles produced by Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors are flex-fuel, meaning roughly one-quarter of all new vehicles sold by 2015 are capable of using up to E85. However, obstacles to widespread use of E85 fuel remain. A 2014 analysis by the [[Renewable Fuels Association]] (RFA) found that oil companies prevent or discourage affiliated retailers from selling E85 through rigid franchise and branding agreements, restrictive supply contracts, and other tactics. The report showed independent retailers are five times more likely to offer E85 than retailers carrying an oil company brand.<ref name=RFAOutlook2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethanolrfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/c5088b8e8e6b427bb3_cwm626ws2.pdf |title=Going Global – 2015 Ehtanol Industry Outlook |author=[[Renewable Fuels Association]] (RFA) |publisher=RFA |date=2015|access-date=2015-11-22}} ''See page 22.''</ref>

=== Other countries ===

==== Australia ==== In January 2007 [[General Motors|GM]] brought UK-sourced [[w:Saab 9-5#E85|Saab 9-5 Biopower]] E85 flex-fuel vehicles to Australia as a trial, in order to measure interest in ethanol-powered vehicles in the country. Saab Australia placed the vehicles with the fleets of the [[Queensland]] Government, the media, and some ethanol producers. E85 is not available widely in Australia, but [[the Manildra Group]] provided the E85 blend fuel for this trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/01/gm_begins_saab_.html |title=GM Begins Saab E85 Trial in Australia|publisher=Green Car Congress|date=2007-01-17|access-date=2008-09-17}}</ref>

Saab Australia became the first car maker to produce an E85 flex-fuel car for the Australian market with the Saab 9-5 BioPower. One month later launched the new [[Saab 9-3|9-3 BioPower]], the first vehicle in Australia to give drivers a choice of three fuels, E85, diesel or gasoline, and both automobiles are sold for a small premium. Australia's largest independent fuel retailer, [[United Petroleum]], announced plans to install Australia's first commercial E85 fuel pumps, one in [[Sydney]] and one in [[Melbourne]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bnews.net.au/content/view/1874/57/|title=Green is Good|publisher=Bnews Melbourne Star|author=Andrew Koch |date=2008-08-13|access-date=2008-09-17 }} {{dead link| date=June 2010 | bot=DASHBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/431588730AC648E9CA25738C0081785C |title=United stance on E85 |publisher=GoAuto |first=David |last=Hassall |date=2007-11-09 |access-date=2008-09-17 |archive-date=2008-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924203640/http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/431588730AC648E9CA25738C0081785C |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[General Motors|GM]] Holden, the [[Government of Victoria|Victorian state government]], [[Coskata]], [[Caltex]], Veolia Environmental Services and [[Mitsui]] have announced a consortium with a co-ordinated plan to build a bio-ethanol plant from household waste for use as E85 fuel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/24/2854507.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326190818/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/24/2854507.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 March 2010|title=Govt backs plan for bio-ethanol plant|newspaper=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=2010-03-24|access-date=2010-03-24 }}</ref> In August 2010 Caltex launched the [[E85]] ethanol fuel called Bio E-Flex, designed for use in the [[Holden Commodore]] VE Series II flex-fuel vehicles to be released later in 2010. Caltex Australia plans to begin selling Bio E-Flex in Melbourne from September and expects to have Bio E-Flex available in more than 30 service stations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra by the end of October, with plans to increase to 100 metropolitan and regional locations in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/08/caltex-20100802.html#more|title=Caltex Australia Introduces E85 Fuel; Targeted for Commodore Flex-Fuel Vehicles Coming Later This Year|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2010-08-02|access-date=2010-08-03}}</ref>{{Obsolete source|reason=GM no longer make cars in Australia|date=September 2022}}

==== Canada ==== [[File:Flex-fuel Impala Ottawa 11 2011 3523.jpg|thumb|E85 flexible-fuel vehicle in [[Ottawa]]]]

As part of the North American auto market, by 2007 Canada had available 51 models of E85 flex-vehicles, most from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, including automobiles, pickup trucks, and [[SUV]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvma.ca/eng/news/2007/article_20071121_01.asp|title=Listing of Flexible Fuel Vehicles Available in the Canadian market|publisher=Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association|date=2007-11-21|access-date=2008-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407074250/http://www.cvma.ca/eng/news/2007/article_20071121_01.asp|archive-date=2010-04-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> The country had around 1.6 million capable flex fuel E85s on the roads by 2014.<ref name=FFVsCanada>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/06/19/why-hybrid-car-sales-are-stalling.html | title=Why hybrid car sales are stalling | first=Dana | last=Flavelle | work=[[Toronto Star]] | date=2015-06-19 | access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref> However, most users are not aware they own an E85, as vehicles are not clearly labeled as such, and even though the newer models have a yellow cap in the fuel tank informing that the vehicle can handle E85, most users are still not aware because there are very few gas stations offering E85.<ref name="CAN_E85" /> Another major drawback to greater E85 fuel use is the fact that by June 2008 Canada had only three public E85 pumps, all located in [[Ontario]], in the cities of [[Guelph]], [[Chatham-Kent|Chatham]], and [[Woodstock, Ontario|Woodstock]].<ref name="CAN07" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://domesticfuel.com/2008/06/10/upi-energy-lp-opens-third-e85-station-in-canada/|title=UPI Energy LP Opens Third E85 Station in Canada |work=Domestic Fuel |date=2008-06-10|access-date=2008-10-05 }}</ref> E85 fueling is available primarily for fleet vehicles, including 20 government refueling stations not available for the public.<ref name="CAN_E85">{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=45fc61c1-56ba-4b5d-8ef0-405d3acf5b3e|title=Biofuels help environment, but they're hard to find|newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|date=2008-02-23|author=Kathryn Young|access-date=2008-09-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804193005/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=45fc61c1-56ba-4b5d-8ef0-405d3acf5b3e|archive-date=2009-08-04}}</ref><ref name="CAN07">{{cite web|url=http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=b53b53ae-2eb5-4e0e-87e0-92c49f41cf60|title=Biofuel cars have nowhere to gas up in Canada| publisher=Driving.ca|date=2007-11-01|author=Kathryn Young |access-date=2008-10-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://iogen.ca/news_events/iogen_news/2005_12_17.html|title=GM's high- ethanol Impalas seek future; Plan is to develop market via fleets No E85 stations for GTA owners|publisher=IOGEN Corporation|date=2005-12-17|access-date=2008-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420082307/http://iogen.ca/news_events/iogen_news/2005_12_17.html |archive-date=April 20, 2008 }}</ref> The main feedstocks for E85 production in Canada are [[Maize|corn]] and [[wheat]],<ref name="CAN_E85" /> and there were several proposals being discussed to increase the actual use of E85 fuel in FFVs, such as creating an ethanol-friendly highway or ethanol corridor.<ref name="CAN07" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biofuelsmagazine.ca/article.jsp?article_id=3&article_title=Canadian+roadways+grow+eager+for+E85 |publisher=Biofuels Canada |title=Canadian roadways grow eager for E85 |date=August 2007 |access-date=2008-10-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226074517/http://www.biofuelsmagazine.ca/article.jsp?article_id=3&article_title=Canadian+roadways+grow+eager+for+E85 |archive-date=February 26, 2009 }}</ref>

==== Colombia ==== In March 2009 the [[Colombia]]n government enacted a mandate to introduce [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E85|E85]] flexible-fuel cars. The executive decree applies to all gasoline-powered vehicles with engines smaller than 2.0 liters manufactured, imported, and commercialized in the country beginning in 2012, mandating that 60% of such vehicles must have flex-fuel engines capable of running with gasoline or E85, or any blend of both. By 2014 the mandatory quota is 80% and it will reach 100 percent by 2016. All vehicles with engines bigger than 2.0 liters must be E85 capable starting in 2013. The decree also mandates that by 2011 all gasoline stations must provide infrastructure to guarantee availability of E85 throughout the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minminas.gov.co/minminas/downloads/archivosSoporteRevistas/4783.pdf |publisher=Ministerio de Minas y Energía |title=Decreto Número 1135 del 31 de Marzo de 2009 |date=2009-03-31 |access-date=2009-05-18 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220061047/http://www.minminas.gov.co/minminas/downloads/archivosSoporteRevistas/4783.pdf |archive-date=2009-12-20 }}</ref> The mandatory introduction of E85 flex-fuels has caused controversy among carmakers, car dealers, gasoline station owners, and even some ethanol producers complained the industry is not ready to supply enough ethanol for the new E85 fleet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Abril252009/ec1.html|newspaper=[[El País (Cali)|El País]]|title=Decreto que aumenta el uso de etanol prendió polémica|date=2009-04-25|access-date=2009-05-18|language=es|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928173344/http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.portafolio.com.co/economia/economiahoy/2009-04-24/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_PORTA-5060471.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629061857/http://www.portafolio.com.co/economia/economiahoy/2009-04-24/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_PORTA-5060471.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-29 |publisher=Portafolio |title=Polémica por decreto que impone el uso de combustible con un 85% de etanol |date=2009-04-24 |access-date=2009-05-18 |language=es }}</ref>

==== India ==== Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has emphasised the adoption of alternative fuels which will be import substitutes, cost-effective, pollution-free, indigenous, and discourage the use of Petrol or diesel. During an event held on 20 October 2021, while addressing the media and journalists he has said that the government will ask all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines under the Euro VI emission norms in the next six-eight months. Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol.

Mr. Gadkari has predicted that in the next 15 years, Indian automobile industry will be worth Rs 15 lakh crore and the Government is planning to submit an affidavit in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India to allow manufacturing of flex-fuel engines under the Euro IV emission norms but for now he said that the Indian Government will ask all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines (that can run on more than one fuel) under the Euro VI emission norms in the next 6–8 months.

==== New Zealand ==== In 2006 New Zealand began a pilot project with two E85 Ford Focus Flexi-Fuel evaluation cars. The main feedstock used in New Zealand for ethanol production is [[whey]], a by-product of [[milk]] production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0609/S00245.htm |title=Introducing New Zealand's First Flexi-Fuel Vehicle |publisher=Scoop Business|author=Ford press release|date=2006-09-14|access-date=2008-09-18}}</ref>

==== Paraguay ==== Government officials and businessmen from [[Paraguay]] began negotiations in 2007 with Brazilian automakers in order to import flex cars that run on any blend of gasoline and ethanol. If successful, Paraguay would become the first destination for Brazilian flex-fuel car exports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noticias.uol.com.br/economia/ultnot/2007/05/24/ult35u53557.jhtm |title=Paraguai pode ser o primeiro destino dos carros "flex" do Brasil|publisher=UOL Economia|date=2007-05-24|access-date=2008-09-17|language=pt}}</ref> In May 2008, the Paraguayan government announced a plan to eliminate import taxes of flex-fuel vehicles and an incentive program for ethanol production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.com.py/2008-05-21/articulos/415461/paraguay-dara-el-paso-decisivo-a-la-era-del-alcohol-carburante|title=Paraguay dará el paso decisivo a la era del alcohol carburante|publisher=ABC Digital|date=2008-05-21|access-date=2008-10-25|language=es}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The plan also includes the purchase of 20,000 flex cars in 2009 for the government fleet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://oglobo.globo.com/economia/mat/2008/05/02/paraguai_lanca_programa_de_estimulo_carros_flex_-427180175.asp |title=Paraguai lança programa de estímulo a carros "flex" |author=Paraguai lança programa de estímulo a carros "flex" |publisher=O Globo Online |date=2008-05-08 |access-date=2008-09-17 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517034101/http://oglobo.globo.com/economia/mat/2008/05/02/paraguai_lanca_programa_de_estimulo_carros_flex_-427180175.asp |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}</ref>

==== Thailand ==== In 2006, tax incentives were established in [[Thailand]] for the introduction of [[compressed natural gas]] (CNG) as an [[alternative fuel]], by eliminating import duties and lowering excise taxes on CNG-compatible cars. Then in 2007, Thai authorities approved incentives for the production of "eco-cars", with the goal of the country to become a regional hub for the production of small, affordable and fuel-efficient cars. Seven automakers joint in the program, [[Toyota]], [[Suzuki]], [[Nissan]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Honda]], [[Tata Motors|Tata]] and [[Volkswagen]].<ref name="EconomistUnit" /> In 2008 the government announced priority for E85, expecting these flex-fuel vehicles to become widely available in Thailand in 2009, three years ahead of schedule. The incentives include cuts in excise tax rates for E85-compatible cars and reduction of corporate taxes for ethanol producers to make sure E85 fuel supply will be met.<ref name="EconomistUnit" /><ref name="Digest">{{cite web|url=http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/08/29/thailand-e85-tax-incentive-confusion-has-stymied-flex-fuel-car-makers-planning-ethanol-glut-looms-as-e85-takeoff-delayed/ |title=Thailand E85 tax incentive confusion has stymied flex-fuel car makers planning: ethanol glut looms as E85 takeoff delayed |publisher=Biofuel Digest|date=2008-08-29|access-date=2008-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919145617/http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/08/29/thailand-e85-tax-incentive-confusion-has-stymied-flex-fuel-car-makers-planning-ethanol-glut-looms-as-e85-takeoff-delayed/ |archive-date=2008-09-19 }}</ref> This new plan however, brought confusion and protests by the automakers which sign-up for the "eco-cars", as competition with the E85 flex-fuel cars will negatively affect their ongoing plans and investments, and their production lines will have to be upgraded at a high cost for them to produce flex-fuel cars.<ref name="EconomistUnit" /><ref name="Digest" /> They also complained that flex-fuel vehicles popular in a few countries around the world, limiting their export potential as compared with other engine technologies.<ref name="EconomistUnit">{{cite web |url=http://www.viewswire.com/index.asp?layout=ib3Article&article_id=543411439&pubtypeid=1112462496&rf=0 |title=Thailand fuels: Thai indecision |publisher=[[Economist Intelligence Unit]]|date=2008-06-10|access-date=2008-09-17 }}</ref>

Despite the controversy, the first E85 flexible fuel vehicles were introduced in November 2008. The first two models available in the Thai market were the [[Volvo S80]] and the [[Volvo C30|C30]]. The S80 is manufactured locally and the C30 is imported. By the time of the introduction of flex vehicles there were already two gas stations with E85 fuel available. During 2009 it was expected that 15 fueling stations in [[Bangkok]] will have E85 fuel available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/12/02/volvo-launches-flex-fuel-s80-and-c30-in-thailand-to-go-with-new/|title=Volvo launches flex fuel S80 and C30 in Thailand to go with new E85 stations|publisher=AutoblogGreen|author= Sam Abuelsamid|date=2008-12-02|access-date=2009-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://domesticfuel.com/2008/11/27/thailand-introduces-first-e85-vehicle/|title=Thailand Introduces First E85 Vehicle|publisher=Domesticfuel.com|author= Michelle Kautz |work=Domestic Fuel |date=2008-11-27|access-date=2009-05-22}}</ref> In October 2009 the [[Mitsubishi Concept-Sportback|Mitsubishi Lancer Ex]] was launched becoming the first mass-production E85 flexi-fuel vehicle produced in Thailand.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/marketing/23939/mitsubishi-launches-flexible-fuel-lancer|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20190317231623/http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/marketing/23939/mitsubishi-launches-flexible-fuel-lancer|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-03-17|title=Mitsubishi launches flexible-fuel Lancer|date=2009-09-16|access-date=2010-01-16|newspaper=[[Bangkok Post]]}}</ref>

=== Comparison among the leading markets ===

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" ! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; background:#bdbbd7;"| Comparison of key characteristics among the leading ethanol flexible-fuel vehicle markets |- align=center | style="background:#bdbbd7;"| Characteristic || style="background:#bdbbd7;"| {{BRA}}|| style="background:#bdbbd7;"| {{SWE}} || style="background:#bdbbd7;"| {{Flag|U.S.}} || style="background:#bdbbd7;"| Units/comments |- |Type of flexible-fuel vehicle (fuel used)<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="E70green" /> || style="text-align:center;"| [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures|E20 to E100]] || style="text-align:center;"| [[E85]] || style="text-align:center;"| [[E85]] || Brazil's mandatory blend is [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures|E20-E25]]. Winter E85 is actually [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures|E70]] in the US and [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures|E75]] in Sweden. |- |Main feedstock used for ethanol consumption<ref name="SusEthanol"/><ref name="EthaMag08" />|| style="text-align:center;"| [[Sugar cane]]|| style="text-align:center;"| 80% imported || style="text-align:center;"| [[Maize]] || In 2007, most Swedish ethanol was imported, with a high share from Brazil.<ref name="EthaMag08" /><ref name="IADB" /> |- |Total flex-fuel vehicles produced/sold<ref name=BR30mFlex/><ref name=US20mFlex/><ref name=BAFF/> || style="text-align:center;"| 36.5 million || style="text-align:center;"| 229,400 || style="text-align:center;"| 20 million(1) || Brazil as of March 2018, Sweden sales as of September 2013 and U.S. fleet on the road as of December 2016. The Brazilian fleet includes over 6.0 million flex fuel motorcycles.<ref name=BR30mFlex/> [[USDOE]] estimates that in 2009 only 504,297 flex-fuel vehicles were regularly fueled with E85 in the US.<ref name=USeDataBook2011/>

|- |Share of flex-fuel vehicles as % of total registered || style="text-align:center;"|22.0% || style="text-align:center;"|4.7% || style="text-align:center;"|4.0% || Brazil's fleet is 64.8 mi (2010),<ref name=Globo>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/carros/noticia/2011/02/frota-de-veiculos-cresce-119-em-dez-anos-no-brasil-aponta-denatran.html|title=Frota de veículos cresce 119% em dez anos no Brasil, aponta Denatran|publisher=Globo.com|date=2011-02-13|author=Ardilhes Moreira|access-date=2011-08-23|language=pt}}</ref> Sweden fleet is 4.8 mi (2008),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/files/20100427_EU_Motor_Vehicles_in_Use_2008.pdf|title=European Motor Vehicle Parc 2008|publisher=[[European Automobile Manufacturers Association]]|date=March 2010|access-date=2011-08-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927061023/http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/files/20100427_EU_Motor_Vehicles_in_Use_2008.pdf|archive-date=2011-09-27}} ''See pp. 12 Table 10: Total vehicles in use''.</ref> and US fleet is 248.5 mi (2009).<ref name=USeDataBook2011/> |- |Ethanol fueling stations in the country<ref name=korridor/><ref name=ANP08stats>{{cite web|url=http://www.anp.gov.br/doc/conheca/anuario_anp_2008.pdf |title=Anuário Estatístico Brasileiro do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis 2008 |publisher=Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis |year=2008 |access-date=2009-07-10 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003154045/http://www.anp.gov.br/doc/conheca/anuario_anp_2008.pdf |archive-date=October 3, 2009 }} ''See Table 3.17, pp. 138''.</ref><ref name=E85stat11>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethanolretailer.com/latest-retailer-news/|title=New E85 and Flex Fuel Stations|publisher=Growth Energy|date=2011-08-26|access-date=2011-08-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817085105/http://www.ethanolretailer.com/latest-retailer-news/|archive-date=2011-08-17}} ''As of August 2011 there were 2,450 E85 stations and 307 flex fuel installations. ''</ref>|| style="text-align:center;"| 35,017 || style="text-align:center;"| 1,723 || style="text-align:center;"| 2,757 ||Brazil for December 2007, the US and Sweden as of August 2011. |- |Ethanol filling stations as % of total<ref name=Apollo/><ref name=EthaMag08/><ref name=FordSweden/><ref name=USeDataBook2011>{{cite web|url=http://cta.ornl.gov/data/tedb30/Edition30_Full_Doc.pdf |title=Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 30 |author1=Stacy C. Davis |author2=Susan W. Diegel |author3=Robert G. Boundy |publisher=Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, [[U.S. Department of Energy]] |date=June 2011 |access-date=2011-08-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928135644/http://cta.ornl.gov/data/tedb30/Edition30_Full_Doc.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-28 }} See Table 4.17: 162,350 conventional refueling stations and US motor vehicle fleet 248,460 vehicles.</ref><ref name=E85stat11/>|| style="text-align:center;"| 100% || style="text-align:center;"| 30% || style="text-align:center;"| 1.7%||As % of total fueling gas stations in the country. |- |Ethanol fueling stations per million inhabitants || style="text-align:center;"| 184.2 || style="text-align:center;"|130.4 || style="text-align:center;"| 6.5 || See [[List of countries by population]]. Brazil and US as of 2008-09-12, and Sweden as of 2008-06-30. |- |Retail price of [[E85]] or [[Neat ethanol fuel|E100]] (local currency/unit) || style="text-align:center;"| [[Brazilian Real|R$]] 3.060/[[liter|L]]|| style="text-align:center;" |[[Swedish krona|SEK]] 13.29/[[liter|L]]|| style="text-align:center;" | US$2.42/[[gallon|gal]]||Selected regions:(2)Brazil, May 2019,<ref name="PricesBR08">{{cite web|url=https://pt.globalpetrolprices.com/Brazil/gasoline_prices/|title=Brasil Preços da gasolina, litro|date=2019-05-23|language=pt|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref> Sweden, January 2008,<ref name="PricesSWE08">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/Sweden/gasoline_prices/|title=Sweden prices of gasoline may 2019|date=2019-05-20}}</ref> and United States, May 2019<ref name="PricesUS08">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/USA/ethanol_prices/|title=E85 Prices USA|access-date=2019-05-20}}</ref> |- |Retail price of gasoline or [[w:Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E25|E25]]. (local currency/unit)|| style="text-align:center;"| [[Brazilian Real|R$]] 4.560/[[liter|L]]|| style="text-align:center;" |[[Swedish krona|SEK]] 16.85/[[liter|L]]|| style="text-align:center;" | US$3.17/[[gallon|gal]]||Prices in [[Brazil]] ([[w:Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E25|E25]]), May 2019,<ref name="PricesBR08" /> [[Sweden]], May 2019,<ref name="PricesSWE08" /> and United States, May 2019.<ref name="PricesUS08" /> |- |Price economy ethanol/gasoline price as %|| style="text-align:center;"| 49.0%(2)(3)|| style="text-align:center;" | 26.8%(2)(3)|| style="text-align:center;" | 30.9%(2)(3)||Brazil, May 2019, Sweden, May 2019, and United States, May 2019. |- | colspan="5" style="text-align:left;"| Notes: (1)The effective number of E85 flex vehicles in US roads actually using ethanol fuel is lower than shown, as a survey have shown than 68% of E85 owners are not aware they own a flex-fuel vehicle.<ref name="SusEthanol"/> A 2007 national survey found that only 5% of drivers actually use biofuels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070122005293&newsLang=en|title=National Survey Reveals Ignorance about Ethanol Runs High among Consumers |author=Harris Interactive |publisher=Pavilion Technologies|date=2007-01-22|access-date=2008-09-18 }}</ref> (2) Regional prices vary widely in Brazil and the US. The states chosen reflect some of the lowest retail prices for ethanol, as both [[São Paulo state|São Paulo]] and [[Minnesota]] are main growers of feedstock and producers of ethanol, hence, the comparison presented is one of the most favorable for ethanol/gasoline price ratios. For example, US average spread was 16.9% in August 2008, and it varied from 35% in [[Indiana]] to 3% in Utah.<ref name="PricesUS08" /> See more US price comparisons for most states at [http://www.e85prices.com/ e85prices.com], and annual fuel costs for 2008 FFV US models at [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byfuel/FFV2008.shtml www.fueleconomy.gov]. (3) Brazilian gasoline is heavily taxed (~54%),<ref name="FolhaGasoline">{{cite web |url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/dinheiro/ult91u438347.shtml | title= Imposto põe gasolina brasileira entre as mais caras |author1=Daniel Bergamasco |author2=Roberto Machado | publisher=Folha de S.Paulo Online | date=2008-08-27 | access-date= 2008-09-18 |language=pt}}</ref> US ethanol production was subsidized (a US$0.51/gal federal tax credit) until December 2011,<ref name="Apollo" /> and Swedish E85 is exempt of CO2 and energy taxes until 2009 (~30% price reduction).<ref name="IADB" /><ref name="PricesSWE08" /> |}

== List of currently produced flexible-fuel vehicles == {{update section|date=September 2019}} [[File:BSB Flex cars 118 09 2008 VW Kombi Total Flex with logo blur.jpg|thumb|upright=0.68|right|[[Volkswagen Type 2|VW Type 2 TotalFlex]](Brazilian version, known as "Kombi")]] [[File:BSB 03 2013 Hyundai HB20 Flex 6208 w flex badge.jpg|thumb|upright=0.68|[[Hyundai HB20]] (Brazil)]]

=== Worldwide === {{See also|List of flexible-fuel vehicles by car manufacturer}}

=== Brazil === {{Main|Flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil#List of currently produced flexible-fuel vehicles|l1=List of currently produced flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil}}

=== United States === {{Main|Flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States#List of currently produced flexible-fuel vehicles|l1=List of currently produced flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States}} {{clear}}

== See also == {{Portal|Renewable energy|Energy}} {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * [[Alternative propulsion]] * [[Battery electric vehicle]] * [[Bivalent (engine)]] * [[Butanol fuel]] * [[Clean Cities]] * [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures]] * [[Ethanol fuel by country]] * [[Food vs fuel]] * [[Natural gas vehicle]] * [[Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle]] * [[Vehicle conversion]]

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Flexible-fuel-powered vehicles}} {{Renewable energy sources}} * [https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/flexible_fuel.html US Department of Energy: Flexible Fuel Vehicles] {{Alternative propulsion}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flexible-Fuel Vehicle}} [[Category:Fuel technology]] [[Category:Flexible-fuel vehicles| ]] [[Category:Ethanol fuel]] [[Category:Embedded systems]]