Owning a flex fuel vehicle gives
motorists options beyond high gas prices at the pump. Depending on
the fuel’s availability and local taxes, you could save as much as
one third at the pump by fueling up your car with E85, the
ethanol/gasoline blend popular with flex fuel vehicles. As additional
service stations add flex fuel to their available fuel options, more
drivers will consider this alternate fuel source to save money and to
help the environment. However, before you make the switch, your
vehicle must be designed to run on E85 in the first place.
Fortunately, select auto manufacturers are jumping in by offering
vehicles that can operate with either E85 or straight gasoline. Let’s
take a look at the current offerings available to American consumers.
Surprisingly, not many of the vehicles
from Japanese automakers have flex fuel capabilities. Toyota and
Honda are concentrating on hybrid technology while also exploring
hydrogen power. The American automakers have taken the lead in this
all important endeavor and the following vehicles from General
Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler all have FFV models available for
consumers:
General Motors:
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Avalanche
GMC Sierra
Chevrolet Suburban
GMC Yukon
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Malibu
Ford Motor Company:
Lincoln Town Car
Ford F-Series
Mercury Gran Marquis
Ford Crown Victoria
Ford Taurus
DaimlerChrysler:
Dodge Durango
Dodge Ram
Dodge Caravan
Chrysler Town & Country
Chrysler Sebring
Dodge Stratus
In addition, several foreign
manufacturers also offer E85 technology including: Mercedes and
Nissan on current models, while Isuzu and Mazda on past models. Just
so you know, not all versions of each model listed have flex fuel
capability; check with the dealer to make certain that your model is
indeed flex fuel capable.
Yes, the flex fuel movement is growing
and as new stations come on line and more vehicles become available,
look for consumers to select flex fuel vehicles in greater numbers.
Add in two big side benefits of reduced emissions and less dependency
on foreign oil, and flex fuel vehicles make a heck of a lot of sense.
Will you be going the flex fuel vehicle route?
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