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Vehicles manufactured for use with E85 are commonly called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Light-duty FFVs include a wide range of vehicles, from sedans to sport utility vehicles to pickup trucks to minivans. FFVs are more common than you may think! FFVs are widely available: The Energy Information Administration estimates that more than four million FFVs are currently on U.S. roadways, although many buyers remain unaware that they have FFVs and may fuel with E85.
FFVs were first produced in 1991, so check your owner's manual, visit with your dealer, check the fuel filler door, or see our list of current model year FFVs to determine if you drive a vehicle that can fuel with E85. New models are coming out all the time and there are approximately one million FFVs being produced each year. In addition, you can visit the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition's Web site to learn about how to identify FFVs based on the vehicle identification number.
Unlike bi-fuel natural gas and propane vehicles that have two unique fueling systems, FFVs have only one fueling system. To qualify as an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) for tax credits, incentives, or to meet requirements for mandated fleets (federal, state, and fuel provider fleets) under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), a vehicle must be capable of using fuel blends up to 85% ethanol.
As a side note, most gasoline vehicles are capable of operating on gasoline/ethanol blends with up to 10% ethanol. For more information on lower percentage ethanol blends, please see the Clean Cities site for information on fuel blends.
For more information about ethanol vehicles, visit the Ethanol Vehicles page on the Alternative Fuels Data Center or go to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.
All E85-capable vehicles should be badged with a manufacturer's fuel door decal, such as this one on a Nissan Titan FFV.
Also, make sure you check out the 2006 Flexible Fuel Vehicle Purchasing Guide (PDF 896 KB) (a PDF is available through the NEVC's Web site). The guide provides background information and details about E85 as a fuel and provides descriptions of flexible fuel vehicle.DOE’s Alternative Fuels Data Center