History Flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States

the ford model t first commercial flex-fuel vehicle. engine capable of running on gasoline or ethanol, or mix of both.



the 1996 ford taurus first flexible-fuel vehicle produced versions capable of running either ethanol (e85) or methanol (m85) blended gasoline.

the first commercial flexible fuel vehicle ford model t, produced 1908 through 1927. fitted carburetor adjustable jetting, allowing use of gasoline or ethanol, or combination of both. other car manufactures provided engines ethanol fuel use. ethanol disadvantaged frequent accusations ethanol producers collaborated bootleggers during prohibition. oil dominance motor fuel questioned in u.s. after 1973 oil crisis, resulted in gasoline shortages , awareness on dangers of oil dependence. crisis opened new opportunity ethanol, methanol , other alternative fuels.

as response shock caused first oil crisis, u.s. government provided initial support develop alternative fuels, , time later, goal improve air quality. liquid fuels preferred on gaseous fuels not because have better volumetric energy density because compatible fuels existing distribution systems , engines, avoiding big departure existing technologies , taking advantage of vehicle , refueling infrastructure. california led search of sustainable alternatives interest focused in methanol. ford motor company , other automakers responded california s request vehicles run on methanol. in 1981, ford delivered 40 dedicated methanol fuel (m100) escorts los angeles county, 4 refueling stations installed. biggest challenge in development of alcohol vehicle technology getting of fuel system materials compatible higher chemical reactivity of fuel. methanol more of challenge ethanol of experience gained neat ethanol vehicle production in brazil transferable methanol. success of small experimental fleet of m100s led california request more of these vehicles, government fleets. in 1983, ford built 582 m100 vehicles; 501 went california, , remaining new zealand, sweden, norway, united kingdom, , canada.

as answer lack of refueling infrastructure, ford began development of flexible-fuel vehicle in 1982, , between 1985 , 1992, 705 experimental ffvs built , delivered california , canada, including 1.6l ford escort, 3.0l taurus, , 5.0l ltd crown victoria. these vehicles operate on either gasoline or methanol 1 fuel system. legislation passed encourage auto industry begin production, started in 1993 m85 ffvs @ ford. in 1996, new ffv ford taurus developed, models capable of running on either methanol or ethanol blended gasoline. ethanol version of taurus became first commercial production of e85 ffv. momentum of ffv production programs @ american car companies continued, although end of 1990s, emphasis shifted ffv e85 version, today. ethanol preferred on methanol because there large support farming community, , government s incentive programs , corn-based ethanol subsidies. support ethanol comes fact biomass fuel, addresses climate change concerns , greenhouse gas emissions, though nowadays these benefits questioned , depend on feedstock used ethanol production , indirect land use change impacts.