31 ethanol-ready vehicles in 2008 model year lineup in (most of) the US
For the new car shopper, there will be 31 ethanol-capable models available in the 2008 model year, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition has announced. The vehicles are coming form Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Mercedes Benz (see the full list after the jump). But, and this is a somewhat confusing but, not all 31 models will be available everywhere. I suppose we can count this post as an update of sorts to the Clean Air Act post from the other day. Here's the available/unavailable details:
Excluding the Chrysler Town and Country Minivan which will be available in all 50 states, model year 2008 Chrysler FFVs will not be available for purchase in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Nissan FFVs will be available only in select markets. Ford, GM and Mercedes Benz 2008 FFVs will be available in all 50 states.
So, who's got a bead on whether or not this is due to legal issues or to the automakers' policies? It seems like a policy decision to me, because some are and some aren't. Perhaps there's an emissions issue I'm not thinking of right now. Any tips?
[Source: NEVC]
From the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition:
The following platforms will be produced as Flexible Fuel Vehicles during MY 2008:
Chrysler
4.7L Chrysler Aspen
2.7L Chrysler Sebring Convertible & Sedan
3.3L Chrysler Town & Country
2.7L Dodge Avenger
4.7L Dodge Dakota
4.7L Dodge Durango
3.3L Dodge Grand Caravan
4.7L Dodge Ram
4.7L Jeep Commander & Grand Cherokee
Ford
4.6L Ford Crown Victoria (including taxi & police units)
5.4L Ford F-150
4.6L Mercury Grand Marquis
General Motors
3.5L & 3.9L Chevrolet Impala (including police units)
5.3L Chevrolet Avalanche & Silverado, GMC Sierra
5.3L Chevrolet Express & GMC Savana
5.3L Chevrolet Suburban & GMC Yukon XL
5.3L Chevrolet Tahoe & Police Package Tahoe, GMC Yukon
3.9L Chevrolet Uplander
3.9L Pontiac Montana (only available in Canada & Mexico)
Nissan
5.6L Nissan Armada
5.6L Nissan Titan
Mercedes Benz
3.0L Mercedes Benz C300 Luxury & Sport
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pat 8:08PM (7/22/2008)
Hi,
People who have driven E-85s,
I would like to get a used domestic car in about 2012 that uses some kind of biofuel. I have owned various Ford/Mercury cars and liked them.
Does anyone know why Ford does not seem to make a small E85 car for the U.S. market?
Thanks,
Pat
Reply
GreyFlcn 2:20PM (9/15/2007)
And how many of those are trucks, or vehicles with less than 25mpg?
You want to know why they are all trucks?
So that they can lower their truck class CAFE standard even lower.
Reply
Joseph 1:45PM (9/16/2007)
Um, there's not 31 cars up there...
Reply
MikeW 4:01PM (9/16/2007)
Does anyone take advantage of the higher AKI of ethanol blended fuels?
Maybe mercedes could because the engine is premium or ethanol blends.
So there an unrealized gain from ethanol. Maybe turbocharged engines will be the only vehicles to capitalize on that potential gain.
and if my gas is already diluted with 10% ethanol, how come the AKI has not improved, at least for mid-grade and premium target:90 & 93
Reply