New bio ethanol commodore

**Sanity** · 31-08-10, 09:56 AM

I thought this was worth posting.

HOLDEN has unveiled its latest Commodore range, which could eventually be powered by household waste.

Both V6 and V8 models in the VE Series II Commodore line-up have been designed as the first Australian-made vehicles to run on bio-ethanol as well as conventional petrol.

Bio-ethanol, also known as E85, is a cleaner burning fuel capable of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent and is cheaper than regular fuel petrol by 20¢ a litre.

It is produced from the by-products created during the processing of wheat, sugar and sorghum. The ethanol is then blended with 15 per cent petrol.

But Holden is also investigating the viability of establishing Australia's first ethanol plant that would produce the fuel from household and other waste.

Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux said the introduction of the E85 flex-fuel technology was part of the company's commitment to leading the push towards alternative fuels.

"We have placed an enormous emphasis on developing technology that can be used in today's vehicles to make driving better for the environment," he said.

"That has included leading the way for Australian produced cars with bio-ethanol, providing motorists with a cleaner fuel alternative when filling up their car.

"It is the first major step forward in our efforts to move renewable fuels like bio-ethanol from a niche product into the mainstream by making it available on Australia's top selling car line."

Fuel retailer Caltex will start selling the E-Flex high-ethanol blended fuel at 31 outlets in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra from October.

That number will rise to 100 in 2011, including some regional sites.

Holden's energy and environment director Richard Marshall said the company believed bio-ethanol had a big future in Australia.

"It is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel and long term we think it has the ability to displace up to 30 per cent of Australia's petrol use," he said.

The new cars will go on sale in late September.

**Godzilla** · 31-08-10, 11:32 AM

Thanks Sanity, interesting reading.

Now for the facts that Holden dont want to tell you.

The fuel is 20% cheaper than regular fuel.

Due to the nature of Ethanol fuels characteristics, the vehicle burns on average 30% more fuel to get the same effect as regular unleaded fuel. (edit; this is on most cars running e85 im unsure of Holdens mileage claims)

Dont plan on any fuel cost savings with E85 Ethanol cars, you will be driving around with less servos available to fill in and feeling greener doing so.

**Globe** · 31-08-10, 02:13 PM

Not forgetting that most ethanol is currently produced from corn, diverting food supply to fuel.

**Tradesman** · 31-08-10, 03:08 PM

i think Ethanol has been available in Sth America for many years .
the fuel delivery hoses on their cars have to be modified to stop them being eaten away by the ethanol?
and maybe they have a different state of tune?

**Godzilla** · 31-08-10, 07:57 PM

Yes a total different state of tune.

Higher compression ratios, more timing, approx 30% more injector flow/duty cycle fuel lines etc.

**Mgoldbe1** · 31-08-10, 10:43 PM

Don't forget Ethanol blend fuels are Hygroscopic...they can absorb water..

The fuel has a 'shelf life' ...no good for a car driven rarely...or a service station that doesn't turn over much of the stuff!

**elbee111** · 31-08-10, 11:21 PM

They call Ethanol renewable because you grow the raw materials.

Not sure about that definition.

**Godzilla** · 31-08-10, 11:22 PM

Bugger it, im waiting for 100% ethanol, then at least i can drink it.

Imagine that, rolling up to a servo's pump instead of a bottle shop.

**AceR** · 01-09-10, 08:47 AM

Sounds good to me.. More fuel in, more compression , means more power

**autotuner** · 01-09-10, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Imagine that, rolling up to a servo's pump instead of a bottle shop.

Some places in Australia the locals do that anyway...the $1.30 a litre buzz...

31-08-10, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sanity Super Moderator Feedback Score: 31 reviews Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Age: 44 Posts: 12,177 Thanks: 1,667 Thanked 3,842 Times in 1,746 Posts Rep Power: 25	New bio ethanol commodore I thought this was worth posting. HOLDEN has unveiled its latest Commodore range, which could eventually be powered by household waste. Both V6 and V8 models in the VE Series II Commodore line-up have been designed as the first Australian-made vehicles to run on bio-ethanol as well as conventional petrol. Bio-ethanol, also known as E85, is a cleaner burning fuel capable of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent and is cheaper than regular fuel petrol by 20¢ a litre. It is produced from the by-products created during the processing of wheat, sugar and sorghum. The ethanol is then blended with 15 per cent petrol. But Holden is also investigating the viability of establishing Australia's first ethanol plant that would produce the fuel from household and other waste. Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux said the introduction of the E85 flex-fuel technology was part of the company's commitment to leading the push towards alternative fuels. "We have placed an enormous emphasis on developing technology that can be used in today's vehicles to make driving better for the environment," he said. "That has included leading the way for Australian produced cars with bio-ethanol, providing motorists with a cleaner fuel alternative when filling up their car. "It is the first major step forward in our efforts to move renewable fuels like bio-ethanol from a niche product into the mainstream by making it available on Australia's top selling car line." Fuel retailer Caltex will start selling the E-Flex high-ethanol blended fuel at 31 outlets in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra from October. That number will rise to 100 in 2011, including some regional sites. Holden's energy and environment director Richard Marshall said the company believed bio-ethanol had a big future in Australia. "It is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel and long term we think it has the ability to displace up to 30 per cent of Australia's petrol use," he said. The new cars will go on sale in late September.

31-08-10, 11:32 AM	#2
Godzilla Premium Member Feedback Score: 14 reviews Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Age: 48 Posts: 7,624 Thanks: 5,526 Thanked 2,941 Times in 1,568 Posts Rep Power: 290	Thanks Sanity, interesting reading. Now for the facts that Holden dont want to tell you. The fuel is 20% cheaper than regular fuel. Due to the nature of Ethanol fuels characteristics, the vehicle burns on average 30% more fuel to get the same effect as regular unleaded fuel. (edit; this is on most cars running e85 im unsure of Holdens mileage claims) Dont plan on any fuel cost savings with E85 Ethanol cars, you will be driving around with less servos available to fill in and feeling greener doing so. __________________ Standard and Performance car parts at discounted prices . Website http://www.performancecarpartsonline.com.au Ebay Performance Car Parts Online Last edited by Godzilla; 31-08-10 at 03:05 PM. Reason: gramma nazi

31-08-10, 07:57 PM	#5
Godzilla Premium Member Feedback Score: 14 reviews Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Age: 48 Posts: 7,624 Thanks: 5,526 Thanked 2,941 Times in 1,568 Posts Rep Power: 290	Yes a total different state of tune. Higher compression ratios, more timing, approx 30% more injector flow/duty cycle fuel lines etc. __________________ Standard and Performance car parts at discounted prices . Website http://www.performancecarpartsonline.com.au Ebay Performance Car Parts Online

31-08-10, 11:22 PM	#8
Godzilla Premium Member Feedback Score: 14 reviews Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Age: 48 Posts: 7,624 Thanks: 5,526 Thanked 2,941 Times in 1,568 Posts Rep Power: 290	Bugger it, im waiting for 100% ethanol, then at least i can drink it. Imagine that, rolling up to a servo's pump instead of a bottle shop. __________________ Standard and Performance car parts at discounted prices . Website http://www.performancecarpartsonline.com.au Ebay Performance Car Parts Online

01-09-10, 08:47 AM	#9
AceR Senior Member Feedback Score: 1 reviews Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 258 Thanks: 3 Thanked 37 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 11	Sounds good to me.. More fuel in, more compression , means more power __________________ Member since March 2002 and still in the Blue

31-08-10, 02:13 PM	#3
Globe Senior Member Feedback Score: 6 reviews Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lost In The Matrix. Posts: 908 Thanks: 66 Thanked 252 Times in 110 Posts Rep Power: 32	Not forgetting that most ethanol is currently produced from corn, diverting food supply to fuel.

31-08-10, 03:08 PM	#4
Tradesman Senior Member Feedback Score: 1 reviews Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sydney Age: 48 Posts: 675 Thanks: 222 Thanked 127 Times in 101 Posts Rep Power: 21	i think Ethanol has been available in Sth America for many years . the fuel delivery hoses on their cars have to be modified to stop them being eaten away by the ethanol? and maybe they have a different state of tune?

31-08-10, 10:43 PM	#6
Mgoldbe1 Senior Member Feedback Score: 2 reviews Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Geelong, Vic. Posts: 571 Thanks: 259 Thanked 223 Times in 123 Posts Rep Power: 25	Don't forget Ethanol blend fuels are Hygroscopic...they can absorb water.. The fuel has a 'shelf life' ...no good for a car driven rarely...or a service station that doesn't turn over much of the stuff!

31-08-10, 11:21 PM	#7
elbee111 Senior Member Feedback Score: 0 reviews Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 218 Thanks: 123 Thanked 40 Times in 30 Posts Rep Power: 9	They call Ethanol renewable because you grow the raw materials. Not sure about that definition.

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