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F.A.Q.
1- WHAT IS BIOETHANOL?

2- IS BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION ENERGY EFFICIENT?

3- CAN I USE BIOETHANOL IN MY EXISTING CAR?

4- WHAT ARE FFVS?

5- DOES USING BIOETHANOL AFFECT ENGINE PERFORMANCE?

6- WHAT GUARANTEES DO VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS OFFER?

WHAT IS BIOETHANOL?

Bioethanol is a spirit made from plants that are rich in sugar or starch, such as sugar beet, sugar cane and cereals. Because of its chemical properties, it can replace or be mixed with petrol from fossil sources.

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IS BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION ENERGY EFFICIENT?


YES.
Recent studies by the Spanish Centre for Energy Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT) show that E85 production has a fossil energy ratio of approximately 1.26. In other words, for every kWh used in producing bioethanol, there is an energy yield of 26%.

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CAN I USE BIOETHANOL IN MY EXISTING CAR?

Various blends of bioethanol are available. Most can be used without any adjustment to the engine. Generally speaking, cars require minor alterations for blends of over 15% bioethanol.

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WHAT ARE FFVS?

Flexi-fuel vehicles are vehicles whose engines have been modified to operate with different blends of bioethanol and petrol, ranging from the maximum E85 mix to 100% conventional petrol. In FFVs the engine automatically detects the type of fuel and adapts to it.

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DOES USING BIOETHANOL AFFECT ENGINE PERFORMANCE?

NO.
In the case of FFVs with turbo technology and an engine management system, which make maximum use of the higher octane rate of bioethanol, the power and engine torque are actually increased.

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WHAT GUARANTEES DO VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS OFFER?

As well as FFVs, today's cars can operate using certain blends of bioethanol and petrol without requiring any alteration.

A wide range of vehicles are now available in Europe that operate with bioethanol blends of between 5 and 15%. However the validity of warranties varies greatly between different manufacturers.

LIST OF MANUFACTURERS

PERCENTAGE OF ETHANOL

Alfa Romeo
Audi
BMW
Chevrolet
Citroën
Fiat
Ford
Honda
Hyundai
Mazda
Mitsubishi
Opel
Peugeot
Renault
Saab
SEAT
Skoda
Suzuki
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo

5%
5.5%
5.5% all models
10% since 1997
10% since 1998
5%
10% since 1998
10% all models
5%
10% since 1987
10%-15% since 1989
10% all models
10%
15% all models
10% since 1998
5.5% all models
5.5% all models
10% all models
10% since 1998
5.5% all models
10% since 1998

Most manufacturers in the USA accept E10. The list below shows manufacturers who guarantee their vehicles for use with E10 in the US:

Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daimlerchrysler, Dodge, Ford, Geo, Honda/Acura, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, Rolls Royce, Saab, Saturn, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.
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