E85 Unleaded bio fuel is here

Eric Frei · 27th August 2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

A new low-emission fuel has begun flowing from Adelaide bowsers.

Bio E-Flex, a blend of up to 85 per cent ethanol with petrol, is the result of a collaboration between Caltex and GM Holden to which South Australia has committed funds.

SA Energy Minister Patrick Conlon says the launch of the new fuel represents another step forward in the quest to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

There is no single solution to achieving this aim, however. It will require a committed approach from a number of sectors and continued investment in supporting local technology and innovation," he said.

Mr Conlon said while the state was "encouraging more people to take public transport or burn fat on their way to work, we are firmly supportive of new fuels utilising the latest technology to reduce emissions, which Caltex and GM Holden have delivered."

The new fuel is designed for use in Holden's soon-to-be-released VE Series II Commodore flex-fuel vehicles made in SA.

The fuel, commonly known overseas as E85, is now available at three Caltex sites in Adelaide.

It be priced 20 cents per litre below regular unleaded petrol.

Caltex will have over 30 sites in South Australia and other states selling Bio E-Flex by the end of October 2010, increasing to 100 in 2011.

Bio E-Flex is suitable only for flex-fuel vehicles. Most new and many older cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles can use Bio E10 Unleaded.

treeshaveneeds · 28th August 2010, 04:40 PM

I expect the ethanol based fuel will be better for the cars and trucks. My experience with 2 cycle engines -- like chainsaws -- the ethanol dissociates the oil, and the piston and cylinder seize. In time, it may be impossible to utilize any petrol except hi test - blow by or not.

windthrown · 28th August 2010, 07:38 PM

Ethanol sucks up water and tends to ruin engines, especially marine engines (high exposure to water). Ethanol has 40% less energy available than gas, but has higher octane. No chainsaws that I know of are designed to run E85. They will run E10, but they need to be re-tuned to do that. Another issue with E85 is that it clouds and gells at low temperatures. In the US midwest during cold winter months, that can be an issue.

28th August 2010, 04:40 PM	#2
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: E85 Unleaded bio fuel is here I expect the ethanol based fuel will be better for the cars and trucks. My experience with 2 cycle engines -- like chainsaws -- the ethanol dissociates the oil, and the piston and cylinder seize. In time, it may be impossible to utilize any petrol except hi test - blow by or not.

28th August 2010, 07:38 PM	#3
windthrown Former Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,211	Re: E85 Unleaded bio fuel is here Ethanol sucks up water and tends to ruin engines, especially marine engines (high exposure to water). Ethanol has 40% less energy available than gas, but has higher octane. No chainsaws that I know of are designed to run E85. They will run E10, but they need to be re-tuned to do that. Another issue with E85 is that it clouds and gells at low temperatures. In the US midwest during cold winter months, that can be an issue.

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