Holden plans Commodore able to run on 85% ethanol as standard

[burnz]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

with modern cars having such sophisticated computers on board, why can't they dynamically change the tune depending on what you fill it up with?

as stated..

As well, a fuel sensor that Mr Marshall likens to a “breathalyser on the fuel line” is included to detect variation in ethanol content in the fuel so the engine management system can adjust engine calibrations to suit.

[GASWAGON]

30% more consumption than petrol! LPG Injection gets ALOT better than that (5-10%)for the same cost.... And does'nt employ some flawed theory that drives our food costs up either.. And we have tonnes of the stuff readily available as a petrol by product and will have for many years...

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by BigBlue

Agreed, but I think that point will be lost in the political back and forth about energy independence..supporting Aussie farmers...etc.

This alternative is as much about politics as it is about engineering.

Peter.

My father in law is a farmer and he is totally against corn-based ethanol as a fuel alternative. He convinced me 3 years ago that is was a bad idea. The price of corn goes up, but so does everything else. Feed goes up in price. The cost of running a farm just skyrockets. So your point about it be all-political is definitely valid! In 2008, that's one of the reasons in my mind, why we had an economic crash - because of overinflation. When your primary products inflate too much in price, so will everything else. Then it will crash. Maybe cellulosic ethanol wouldn't be so bad? Maybe hydrogen fuel cell technology is where the focus should be?

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by chevypower

My father in law is a farmer and he is totally against corn-based ethanol as a fuel alternative. He convinced me 3 years ago that is was a bad idea. The price of corn goes up, but so does everything else. Feed goes up in price. The cost of running a farm just skyrockets. So your point about it be all-political is definitely valid! In 2008, that's one of the reasons in my mind, why we had an economic crash - because of overinflation. When your primary products inflate too much in price, so will everything else. Then it will crash. Maybe cellulosic ethanol wouldn't be so bad? Maybe hydrogen fuel cell technology is where the focus should be?

Good thing they aren't using corn mash in Australia than. Most of the produced ethanol in Australia will come from waste products. I agree however there are some questionable benifits to be had from ethanol.

[mmciau]

I'll stick with dual fuel for the present time.


Mike

[Joe5619]

I read yesterday that the E85 is only going to be on the 3.0 engines to start with.. Not appearing on the 3.6 until next year.. What a con, do they even sell many 3.0 engines, seeing as how crap there are?

Just wait the marketing machine go to work on & engine that does not sell in big qty's!!

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by chevypower

My father in law is a farmer and he is totally against corn-based ethanol as a fuel alternative. He convinced me 3 years ago that is was a bad idea. The price of corn goes up, but so does everything else. Feed goes up in price. The cost of running a farm just skyrockets. So your point about it be all-political is definitely valid! In 2008, that's one of the reasons in my mind, why we had an economic crash - because of over inflation. When your primary products inflate too much in price, so will everything else. Then it will crash. Maybe cellulosic ethanol wouldn't be so bad? Maybe hydrogen fuel cell technology is where the focus should be?

If he's a farmer ??
I HIGHLY doubt he'd be worried about crop prices rising !!!!
Alot of grain is NOT for human consumption...
From whats happening in Europe the price of wheat is rising ...
Unless he's a dairy farmer ??

[JC807]

i can't wait to see E85 readily available. I'm waiting for this so i can get a injectors, cat, pump and tune all done at the same time.

[Romulus]

I couldn't care if the SIDID was 100% Ethanol compatible - it's not and won't be a mainstream fuel for quite some time yet. Oil companies won't invest in the infrastructure required to cater for less than a handful of cars E85 compatible.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by GT Falcon

I couldn't care if the SIDID was 100% Ethanol compatible - it's not and won't be a mainstream fuel for quite some time yet. Oil companies won't invest in the infrastructure required to cater for less than a handful of cars E85 compatible.

theres acually fair few places..
http://ethanolfacts.com.au/buying

[Romulus]

None in WA by the looks of it. I'm not aware of any BP, Caltex, Shell, Ampol or Peak sites that sell E85 Perth metro or country WA.

[vztrt]

Caltex is meant to roll out pumps to their servo's.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/81517/ho...ing-announced/

Holden Commodore VE Series II compatible Bio E-Flex locations and pricing announced
By George Skentzos | August 26th, 2010

Holden has welcomed an announcement by Caltex of the first locations where its high-tech Bio E-Flex fuel will be made available along with official pricing.

The new ethanol-based fuel will be Holden’s recommended fuel for use in the soon to be released Holden Commodore VE Series II flex-fuel range and consists of 85 per cent ethanol, blended with 15 per cent petrol – commonly known overseas as E85.

The new fuel goes on sale from today at St Marys, Salisbury Park and Woodcroft in Adelaide, priced at 20 cents per litre below regular unleaded petrol at Caltex-operated service stations.

“We believe Bio E-Flex will be attractive to motorists who would like to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions significantly but have had limited choice in taking action,” said Caltex Manager Government Affairs & Media Frank Topham.

“Customers will be able to reduce their environmental impact at an affordable price. If petrol prices were at the same levels as experienced this year, Bio E-Flex would often be priced near $1 per litre at the bottom of the weekly price cycle.”

As Bio E-Flex is based on ethanol – a renewable fuel – it will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on traditional fossil fuels like petrol.

It is estimated that the use of ethanol as a fuel will result in 14 to 46 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions over petrol, although as it has a lower energy content than petrol vehicles using Bio E-Flex will travel fewer kilometres on a litre of fuel.

“As part of our EcoLine strategy, we have a commitment to offering our customers a broad range of vehicles that use alternative fuel or fuel-saving technologies. These solutions are designed to make motoring affordable as well as being better for the environment.” Holden’s Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall said.

The Holden Commodore VE Series II range will be the first Australian-made cars able to run on Bio E-Flex fuel, although they can also run on E10, Unleaded, Premium or any combination of these fuels.

Caltex plans to have over 30 Bio E-Flex sites in most states by the end of October, increasing to 100 outlets in 2011.