Now that gasoline prices in California are in the six dollar range because of the war in the Middle East, it might be worth looking at E85 as an alternative to high priced gasoline, if your car can run on it.
Or, if you’re looking to buy a new or used car, you might consider a Flex Fuel vehicle that runs on E85 as a hedge against continued volatility in the gas market, especially if you can’t afford an EV now that the $7,500 tax credits are gone.
Many people don’t know about E85 and some aren’t aware that their car can run on this type of fuel because they are used to buying only gasoline. However, both domestic and foreign automakers have built cars with the capability to run on E85 and are still doing so today.
So let’s look at the pros and cons of making the switch to E85 Ethanol, or “corn gas” as it is sometimes called, if purchasing an EV isn’t in your future.
What is it?
E85 Ethanol is made from distilling corn, grown in the U.S. and Europe. Since farmers grow the corn in the so-called corn belt of the U.S, it’s considered a renewable resource. And when combusted produces less greenhouse gasses than gasoline, according to the Department of Energy. It also has a high octane rating of over 100, which some say results in increased power. Its pricing is not tied to the global petroleum market, thus insulating it from the market forces driving up the cost of gas.
Some things to know:
There is about 22% – 30% less energy per liter in E85 than gasoline, so it has to be priced correctly in order for the switch to be cost effective. Last weekend I purchased E85 for $2.49/Gallon. In contrast, regular gasoline was $6.19/Gallon. So, even though you’ll get about 30% fewer miles per gallon from a fillup, gasoline is 149% more expensive than E85, so it makes sense to switch. All you ever need to do is multiply the current price of E85 by 1.3 and if that number is lower than the cost of gasoline, it’s time to switch.
How do I know if my car can run on E85?
The first way to tell is there should be a yellow gas cap on your tank. Another way to tell is a sticker on the window or badging on your vehicle that says FFV or FlexFuel. You should also check your owners manual just to be sure. If you’re shopping for a car that runs on it check the Person Fuels Flex Fuel Car Check page on their website and see what some of your options are.
How do I find E85?
Some areas have lots of different stations that offer E85, while others you may have to drive a little to get to it. Again, use an app like Person Fuels or Gas Buddy to help you find a station near you that sells it.
What cars run on it?
Some common E85 compatible vehicles (Often 2013-2025 Models) include some major U.S. brands like Ford, Dodge, and Chrysler. Ford’s popular F-150 trucks can run on it as well as Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and Dodge Ram 1500. Popular SUV’s include Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. If big trucks and SUV’s aren’t your jam, these manufacturers offer smaller compact cars that can run on E85.
So what’s the catch?
“It’s important to compare the efficiencies of fuel sources,” says Emily Price, AP Environmental Science Teacher at San Juan Hills High School. “The energy return on investment (EROI) refers to the amount of energy derived from a fuel divided by the amount of energy required to obtain that fuel. The EROI of ethanol is very low compared to other fuels because growing the corn, converting it to ethanol, and distributing it takes a large amount of energy.”
“There are also many environmental disadvantages associated with producing ethanol. When corn is grown for ethanol, agricultural lands are diverted from producing crops for human consumption. If more land is put into production to provide corn for ethanol, this can strain local water supplies, and lead to a loss of natural habitat and biodiversity,” she said.
What is the long-term outlook for E85 fuel?
E85 production and infrastructure are subsidized to an extent by the federal government. But farmers have very powerful lobbies in Washington, D.C. with many representatives from farm states serving on Agriculture Committees in the House and Senate, making it a good bet that some form of subsidies will continue into the future. The corn-belt states are Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, southern Minnesota, eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, Missouri, and parts of Ohio. Since these states are both “red” and “blue” states it seems likely that subsidies for corn growers would enjoy bi-partisan support in Congress.
However, in the most recent bill, The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (passed by the House on April 30, 2026) does not include provisions for year-round E15 ethanol sales. E15 is only 15% ethanol, while E85 is 85%. The highly contested measure was removed to secure votes for the broader $390 billion bill and subsidies for E15 will be part of a separate bill. It’s not clear how the E15 provision will affect the market prices of E85 in California and elsewhere.
