Getting the answers on ethanol
Holden today announced the launch of ethanolanswers.com.au, a new website to help answer motorists’ questions about ethanol and the ethanol-based alternative fuel, E85.
The launch of the site followed on from the recent release of the Holden Commodore VE Series II range, which includes flex-fuel models capable of running on unleaded, E10 or premium, as well as E85 – an alternative fuel that contains up to 85 per cent ethanol mixed with petrol.
In addition, Caltex has begun selling E85 under the brand name Bio E-Flex at selected metropolitan service stations in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Holden’s Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall said ethanolanswers.com.au had been developed to answer questions and provide information about ethanol and its use in E85, in a format that was easy to understand and user friendly.
“The availability of this new fuel – and cars that run on it – is incredibly exciting, however, we understand that motorists will have questions about the production of ethanol fuels such as Caltex Bio E-Flex, its use and its impact on their cars,” Mr Marshall said.
“We hope this site will provide people with easy access to information about ethanol and E85, as well as addressing some of the common misconceptions people may have about the fuel.”
Five facts about ethanol and E85
- Caltex has begun selling E85 under the brand name Bio E-Flex. This alternative fuel contains up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol
- Holden recently launched Commodore VE Series II. Flex-fuel vehicles in the range are capable of running on E85, as well as unleaded, E10 and premium
- In Australia, ethanol is made from renewable sources such as sorghum grown for ethanol manufacture and stock feed, as well as by-products from the processing of wheat and sugar
- Holden estimates that using high ethanol blend fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 per cent compared to petrol[1]
Holden and Caltex have contributed to a study looking at the feasibility of establishing a plant capable of turning materials such as household rubbish into ethanol
[1] CO2 reduction is calculated on a ‘well to wheel’ basis – including all CO2 emitted from growing the crops or extracting the crude, refining the fuel, transporting it to market and powering the vehicle
New Commodore – Go Better and Smarter
Living up to Holden’s tagline ‘go better’, Commodore drivers can look forward to a range of performance improvements, with the vehicle running on petrol or bio-ethanol, as well as the clever new Holden-iQ touch-screen infotainment system on every model.
Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said Holden was making advanced technology and sustainable performance available to Commodore buyers across the range.
“We’re listening and we know Australians want better performance – but better performance doesn’t mean going faster in a straight line,” Mr Devereux said.
“Better performance means driving more efficiently, more sustainably and the addition of simple-to-use technology that makes driving safe and fun at the same time. Series II makes these features available to every buyer across the Commodore range.”
All Commodores now feature Holden-iQ, a 6.5 inch colour LCD touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless, cable and USB connectivity for music and mobiles.
In a major step forward, Holden also offers drivers the choice to fill-up on a locally produced alternative fuel. Commodore models powered by the 3.0 litre SIDI V6 and 6.0 litre V8 engines are flex-fuel capable. They can run either on petrol or bio-ethanol, a blend of up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol, commonly known as E85. The 3.6 litre SIDI V6 engine will also be flex-fuel compatible by 2012.
“Drivers can fill up with petrol as they normally would, or fill-up with bio-ethanol. Giving people this choice is an important and immediate way that Holden can help people reduce their environmental impact when it comes to driving.”
Caltex will sell the new fuel under the name Bio E-Flex at 31 service stations in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide by the end of October and increasing to 100 sites in 2011.
“We estimate 90 per cent of flex-fuel vehicle owners will live within a 10 kilometre radius of a Bio E-Flex pump, making renewable fuel mainstream for the first time Australia. And when they choose Bio E-Flex, they can feel good about reducing their CO2 driving emissions by around 40 per cent,” Mr Devereux said.