Shell ClearFLEX E85

As the current demand for E85 is relatively small, most fuel stations, which are typically owned by independent business people, have not found it economical to offer E85 outside the Midwest. The new equipment required for E85 must be tested and certified, and conversion costs for distribution can run as high as $200,000 per retail site (depending on the site’s infrastructure).

E10 refers to the most generally available and compatible (with vehicles and retail infrastructure) gasoline in the U.S. today; it is essentially comprised of approximately 10% ethanol blended with 90% gasoline (regular, mid grade or premium). E85 is comprised of up to 83% ethanol blended with remaining amounts of regular gasoline. E15 would typically contain up to approximately 15% ethanol blended with remaining amounts of gasoline.

Fuelling a conventional (not modified for E85 use) vehicle with a high ethanol grade fuel could have some immediate as well as long-term effects. Depending on type of vehicle, the most probable immediate effects could be:

The engine management system on the vehicle could be incapable of delivering the higher volume of fuel required for E85 combustion. Therefore the engine could be difficult to start.

If the engine starts (for example due to residual ethanol-free fuel in the fuel system), it could run erratically, especially under idling conditions.

The check engine warning light could come on, indicating that the engine is running too lean.

Due to lower energy content and too lean of a mixture, the vehicle could show power loss and poor driveability.

Exhaust emissions could be increased because the lambda / catalyst system cannot work properly.

No. E85 differs in many properties from conventional gasoline and can therefore only be used in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV). E85 also has its own fuel specifications.

E85 has a high Research Octane Number (RON) of 100-105. Flexible Fuel Vehicles optimized for E85 use can benefit from this high octane rating.

E85 contains less energy per gallon compared to conventional gasoline; therefore the engine needs more gallons of fuel for the same distance (up to 28% more with E85).

Not necessarily since the cost of E85 is dependent on blending economics (ethanol and hydrocarbon costs), renewable fuel credits or RINs and the market price that independent retailers choose to price the product. Due to tax incentives in certain states and the economics mentioned above, the fuel may be sold on a volume basis or energy content basis.

Only Flexible Fuel Vehicles “FFV” designated to E85 use can run on this type of fuel. Conventional vehicles and non-automotive engines should not use E85.

FFVs have a variety of modified components. FFVs need a fuel sensor that detects the ethanol/gasoline ratio. A number of other parts on the FFV's fuel system are modified so that they are E85 compatible. The fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel injectors, computer system, anti-siphon device, etc have been modified. E85 is more corrosive, therefore any part that comes in contact with the fuel must be upgraded.

Check your vehicle owner’s manual. You can also look for a yellow cap or yellow “ring” indicator around the fuel entry point, in addition to your fuel door label and vehicle badges. In case of doubt, contact the vehicle manufacturer prior to using E85.

Shell does not recommended use of aftermarket conversion kits as conventional vehicle’s fuel systems are not materially compatible with E85. Even if these kits enable a conventional engine to run on E85, the long-term incompatibility of the full fuel system’s materials could damage the vehicle. In addition, exhaust emissions could be increased and therefore conversion could be forbidden by authorities.

A conventional engine cannot / should not run on E85. If you have filled more than 30-50% of your tank capacity with E85 your check engine light could likely appear. Stop the engine and contact your dealer or repair shop and let them pump the E85 out (some small amount can stay in the tank). Afterwards fill up with conventional gasoline.

Immediately stop the engine, contact your dealer or closest repair shop to thoroughly pump the fuel out from the tank, fuel lines and high-pressure fuel pump. Afterwards fill your tank to maximum level with diesel fuel.

No, E85 can only be used in E85 Flexible Fuel Vehicles. Use in any other equipment can lead to severe engine damage.

If you drive a Flex Fuel Vehicle, the FFV system allows the driver to use any fuel your vehicle manufacturer recommends if E85 is not available.