| Many people categorize flex fuel vehicles as hybrid | | | | concluded, it quickly became apparent that corn was |
| vehicles. This is actually a mistake. In this article, we | | | | not a good choice. First, it doesn’t convert well. |
| take a closer look at what a flex fuel vehicle is and | | | | Second, using it for fuel caused a shortage in food |
| how it differs from a hybrid. | | | | supplies! A transition to grass based ethanol is currently |
| Flex fuel vehicles have been around for some time. | | | | underway. |
| You might be driving one and not even realize it. | | | | As mentioned, flex fuel vehicles can run on gasoline or |
| Regardless, many city, state and federal cars are flex | | | | a second fuel which is usually ethanol. Ethanol is rarely |
| fuel vehicles because they are required to be as a | | | | offered as a stand alone fire because it burns invisibly. |
| matter of law. It is rather odd that the government | | | | Put in practical terms, your car could be on fire and |
| requires its agencies to do this, but not individual | | | | you wouldn’t know it. A second problem is ethanol |
| citizens. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact | | | | doesn’t fire well in the cold, which means starting |
| agencies don’t vote in elections, but people do! | | | | the car on a cold winter morning can be a task and a |
| A flex fuel vehicle is aptly named. It is a vehicle that | | | | half. To prevent these problems, most ethanol is sold |
| can run on multiple fuels or a mix of two fuels. The | | | | as e85. This simply means it is 85 percent ethanol and |
| first fuel is usually gasoline. The second fuel is where | | | | 15 percent gas. Your flex fuel car can automatically |
| things get interesting. In most cases these days, the | | | | adjust. |
| second fuel is ethanol. You may have heard Brazil has | | | | So, how is a flex fuel vehicle different than a hybrid? A |
| no fuel problems. This is because the vast majority of | | | | hybrid runs partially off a gasoline power engine and |
| their cars run off of sugar can ethanol, and Brazil has | | | | partially off a battery charge. The flex fuel vehicle will |
| massive sugar cane supplies. | | | | switch between fuels, but never runs on just a battery. |
| Unlike Brazil, we do not have sugar cane fields. What | | | | Both are more fuel efficient, but we are really talking |
| we do have is corn and a strong corn political lobby! | | | | about apples and oranges. |
| To the surprise of nobody, corn is used as the base | | | | The auto industry is facing up to the fact that fuel cost |
| ingredient in ethanol production in the United States. | | | | is a big issue for consumers these days. Flex fuel |
| That is changing, however. Once the politics were | | | | vehicles are one solution to the problem. |