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.
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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.
Last edited by Godzilla; 31-08-10 at 03:05 PM. Reason: gramma nazi
Not forgetting that most ethanol is currently produced from corn, diverting food supply to fuel.
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?
Yes a total different state of tune.
Higher compression ratios, more timing, approx 30% more injector flow/duty cycle fuel lines etc.
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!
They call Ethanol renewable because you grow the raw materials.
Not sure about that definition.
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.![]()
Sounds good to me.. More fuel in, more compression , means more power![]()
Member since March 2002 and still in the Blue
Some places in Australia the locals do that anyway...the $1.30 a litre buzz...Imagine that, rolling up to a servo's pump instead of a bottle shop.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...
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