Frequently Asked Questions

What is ethanol and E85?
E85 is a motor fuel blend of up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is designed for use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles, or FlexFuel, called FFVs.

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane biofuel that is produced from renewable sources, such as corn grown here in the U.S., helping reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Pure, 100% ethanol is not generally used as a motor fuel; instead, ethanol is combined with unleaded gasoline. This is beneficial because the ethanol decreases fuel cost, increases the fuel’s octane rating and decreases gasoline’s harmful emissions.

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What is VE85™?
VE85™, short for VeraSun E85, is a quality brand of E85 from VeraSun Energy, a leading producer of ethanol.

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How do I fuel with E85?
E85 fuels just like regular unleaded gasoline.

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Can any vehicle run on E85?
E85 is designed to run in Flexible Fuel or FlexFuel Vehicles only.

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How do I know if I have a FlexFuel Vehicle?
Visit the "Vehicles" page for a current list of FFVs.

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What is a FlexFuel Vehicle?
FlexFuel Vehicles, also known as FFVs, are designed to run on gasoline, E85, or any combination of the two. The “Flexible” nature of the vehicle gives the driver the flexibility to switch back and forth between gasoline and E85 if E85 is not available in a certain location.

Ethanol contains more oxygen than gasoline. FFVs come equipped with an oxygen sensor which determines the amount of ethanol in the fuel at any time. It provides this information to the onboard computer, which then adjusts the engine to maximize efficiency and performance. The fuel may contain anywhere from zero to 85% ethanol.

FFVs are widely available and include sedans, minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks. There are approximately six million on the road today. General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Nissan, Mazda, Mercury and Isuzu all produce vehicles that run on E85.

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What happens if I accidentally put E85 in my gas-only vehicle?
If your vehicle is not an FFV and you accidentally use E85, you should consult your nearest dealer or repair shop. The primary difference between a FlexFuel Vehicle (FFV) and a gasoline-powered vehicle is that their computer modules are meant to read different amounts of oxygen within the fuel. E85 contains a higher amount of oxygen than gasoline, and FlexFuel Vehicles are made to read that higher amount. When a gasoline-powered vehicle reads a higher amount of oxygen, your “check engine light” may appear. Use of E85 is not recommended for standard gasoline engines.

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Are repairs and maintenance costs for FFVs any different than they are for gasoline?
Evidence exists that some maintenance costs may actually be reduced, in the long run, by FFVs using E85.

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What if E85 isn’t available?
When it is not available, or you travel outside the fueling network, you may simply fuel your FFV with regular unleaded gasoline.

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I really like E85. Where else can I get it?
There are about 1,200 E85 fueling locations nationwide, and approximately 150 VE85™ retail locations under contract in more than a dozen states and Washington, D.C. Visit www.e85fuel.com, or the "Stations" page for up-to-date listings.

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Can I convert my gasoline-only vehicle to a FlexFuel Vehicle?
Currently there are no automaker approved conversion kits to convert gas only vehicles to FlexFuel Vehicles. However, nearly every dealership selling new and pre-owned vehicles has a good selection of FFVs. Trade in your gas only vehicle and fuel up for good!

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Can small engines run on E85?
Small engines, like those used on lawn mowers and snow blowers, are not compatible with E85. The same is true for other engines used on boats, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. However, most manufactures of these types of engines do warranty the use of E10–a mixture of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.

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Can my motorcycle use E85?
Currently, there are not any E85 motorcycles on the market; however, extensive research is being done to develop a bike that can run on E85.

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