Biofuels

Because GM FlexFuel vehicles can run on E85 ethanol or gasoline, you can choose the fuel that's best for you at over 1,900 E85 ethanol pumps nationwide. That number will only continue to grow with GM joining the SmartWay Grow & Go program with the goal of expanding the alternative fueling infrastructure and promoting the benefits of E85.

GM is also partnering with the government, and fuel providers and retailers, to help you choose E85 ethanol sooner.

» Locate the E85 ethanol station nearest to you

•   Q: What exactly is E85 ethanol?

  A. E85 ethanol is an alternative fuel to gasoline. It's a high-octane, cleaner-burning fuel that's a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Ethanol is domestically produced and mostly renewable, typically produced from grain, switchgrass, willow, and other biomass resources.

•   Q. How do E85 ethanol-powered vehicles work? If E85 ethanol fuel isn't available, can the vehicle still run?

  A. E85 ethanol flexible fuel vehicles are designed to run on E85 ethanol, gasoline, or any blend of the two. So even if E85 ethanol fuel is not available, the vehicle will still run. Every flexible fuel vehicle has an engine control module that helps to identify which fuel or blend of fuels is running through the vehicle's system. Based on that information, the system automatically adjusts itself to run on that fuel type.

•   Q. How can I tell if my vehicle can run on E85 ethanol?

  A. Since mid-2006, GM's new E85 ethanol-capable vehicles now come equipped with a yellow gas cap, which makes it easy to tell right away. If a vehicle was produced prior to the 2006 model year, its E85 capability is indicated by a label inside the fuel door and also by its VIN number. For information on what to look for in the VIN number, go to www.E85fuel.com.

•   Q. What are the benefits of using E85 ethanol instead of gasoline?

  A. There are several important benefits to using E85 ethanol, including:

  1. Ethanol, the major component of E85 ethanol, is a renewable fuel
  2. Using E85 ethanol helps reduce dependence on petroleum
  3. Using E85 ethanol helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  4. Using E85 ethanol can help improve your vehicle's performance. How? E85 ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline, which allows for more horsepower and torque
  5. Using E85 ethanol can help reduce smog-forming emissions
  6. Using E85 ethanol can help support the domestic agriculture industry in the U.S.
•   Q. Does E85 cost more than gasoline?

  A. The price of E85 ethanol varies by market, and can go up and down in price just like any other fuel. During the spike in gasoline prices in September 2005, a gallon of E85 ethanol was as much as 60 cents cheaper than gasoline in some places. Usually, though, E85 ethanol is priced about the same as gasoline. As is the case with all types of fuel, the larger the network of fueling outlets and the greater the use of the fuel, the more competitively priced that fuel should be. For more information on E85 ethanol pricing around the country, visit www.E85fuel.com.

•   Q. Are there many E85 ethanol stations yet in the U.S.?

  A. Although the number of stations is still small, the availability of E85 at retail service stations is improving throughout the country. This expansion is made possible by both installation of new equipment or the simple conversion of existing petroleum equipment. There are over 1,500 stations in the U.S. that offer E85 ethanol, and that number is growing rapidly. These numbers are expected to continue to grow thanks to the new Energy Security Act of 2005, which includes incentives like a 30% federal income tax credit to station owners who install E85 ethanol fueling sites. To find out where you can find E85 ethanol stations around the U.S., visit www.E85refueling.com.

•   Q. Is GM doing anything to help promote the installation of more E85 ethanol stations?

  A. GM is dedicated to helping grow an E85 ethanol infrastructure in the U.S., and is involved in several initiatives with industry, government, and other key stakeholders. In fact, to-date GM has helped to located nearly 300 new E85 fueling pumps around the country.

•   Q. Where does ethanol come from?

  Ethanol can be produced from a variety of organic plant materials. Processes are in the works to produce ethanol from waste agricultural residue or from purposefully grown crops such as switchgrass or trees. This type of ethanol is known as "cellulosic ethanol." Creating this type of ethanol does have some added environmental benefits: It creates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than when ethanol is made from corn.

•   Q. When using E85 ethanol, don't you get decreased fuel economy compared to gasoline?

  A. E85 ethanol holds less energy per gallon than gasoline. Therefore, drivers will experience MPG reductions depending on their particular vehicle and driving habits. This means that vehicles running on E85 ethanol may have a cruising range that is about 25% shorter than the same vehicle operating on regular gasoline.

  The Fuel Economy Guide (www.fueleconomy.gov) provides detailed information on the fuel economy and driving range values for both gasoline and E85 ethanol. When operating a FlexFuel vehicle on a mixture of gasoline and E85, such as when alternating between these fuels, your driving range and economy will be somewhere between those listed for the two fuels, depending on the actual percentage of gasoline and E85 ethanol in the tank.

Learn how GM is extending its commitment to biofuels through a partnership with Coskata, a company pioneering the conversion of waste into ethanol. Learn more about Coskata

Learn how you can save money and help save the environment. EcoDriving is a comprehensive, nationwide effort to help save consumers money at the pump, reduce fuel use and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Find out more at www.EcoDrivingUSA.com

Read all about biomass programs, and their potential to provide clean, abundant energy, by visiting the Department of Energy's Biomass Website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/publications.html.

E85 News: Get the latest GM E85 news releases at http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovation/news/index.jsp#biofuels.

See if your vehicle is E85 compatible and find where to fuel it. Plus get up to speed on current legislation at the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition's site: http://www.e85fuel.com.

Each year, the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop Expo highlights advances in production, distribution and environmental impact of ethanol: www.fuelethanolworkshop.com..

Teach your children well. Send them to our special fuel cells and energy site designed for kids in grades K-12: http://www.gm.com/experience/education/teachers/power_of_corn.jsp.

Check out how the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest is making the E85 Clean Air Choice at www.cleanairchoice.org..