E85 super ethanol is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly fuel. However, it is not compatible with all types of engines. Let’s take a closer look at the cars that are compatible with bioethanol. Which car brands are compatible with bioethanol? Primarily, super ethanol only works with gasoline engines. And since this fuel became available at the pump in 2007, several car brands such as Peugeot, Renault, Dacia, Saab, Volvo, and Ford have developed vehicles with flex-fuel engines. In addition to super ethanol, these types of cars can run on different types of biofuels in a specific proportion.
Besides flex-fuel cars, bioethanol can also be used in other vehicles with the installation of a specific conversion kit. However, certain criteria must be met:
The vehicle’s year of manufacture
If the vehicle was manufactured after the 1990s, it is 99% likely to be compatible with E85 fuel.
- The type of injection
The type of injection is also a key parameter for determining whether a car is compatible with E85. While hybrid engines can run on E85, most direct-injection gasoline engines are incompatible with this fuel.
- And the engine power
To be eligible for E85, a vehicle’s engine power rating (tax horsepower) must not exceed 14 hp.
- How much does a certified conversion kit cost?
To purchase a certified conversion kit, you should expect to pay between €150 and €200 on average. However, in addition to the cost of the device itself, you must also factor in the installation fees. For this reason, the purchase and installation of this type of unit could cost on average between 400 and 600 euros.
What are the advantages of switching to bioethanol?
The primary advantage of using bioethanol is, above all, economic. While a liter of gasoline currently costs €1.45, the average pump price of E85 super ethanol is €0.70. Beyond that, another benefit of this fuel lies in its greater environmental friendliness, as it emits significantly less CO2 than gasoline (up to 40% less).
Is there a risk in running on super ethanol?
If you switch to bioethanol, it’s important to note that your fuel consumption could increase (by up to 15%). Furthermore, this type of fuel performs poorly in cold weather. As for the engine, there is no evidence that super ethanol is harmful. However, it is certain that performance, especially acceleration, would be reduced.
