brian.cunningham
02-10-2006, 09:36 PM
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/technology/automotive/21942/
http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/medium/95031_cav.jpg
General Motors has chosen the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche SUV to begin its push for the technology known as "Flex-Fuel" in the North American consumer market.
Flex-fuel cars are capable of running either on gasoline or ethanol, at either 100 percent of one of the fuels or any proportion between the two. However, with E85 -- the commercial name of ethanol, a formula that contains 85 percent of the alcohol and 15 percent gasoline -- engines emit less greenhouse gases although mileage per gallon is reduced. E85-compatible vehicles had previously been sold mostly to fleets in the U.S.
GM has already built over 1.5 million flex-fuel vehicles, most of them sold in the Brazilian market where sugarcane ethanol has powered a significant portion of the country's fleet since the 1970's oil crisis, although it wasn't until 2003 that the flex technology -- meaning the same engine being able to use either fuel -- entered mass production. Flex cars are also popular in Sweden, and several other manufacturers, including Ford and Volkswagen, also market the technology.
Also featuring cylinder deactivation to further improve fuel economy, the new 2007 Chevy Avalanche will be officially launched at this month’s Chicago Auto Show.
http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/medium/95031_cav.jpg
General Motors has chosen the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche SUV to begin its push for the technology known as "Flex-Fuel" in the North American consumer market.
Flex-fuel cars are capable of running either on gasoline or ethanol, at either 100 percent of one of the fuels or any proportion between the two. However, with E85 -- the commercial name of ethanol, a formula that contains 85 percent of the alcohol and 15 percent gasoline -- engines emit less greenhouse gases although mileage per gallon is reduced. E85-compatible vehicles had previously been sold mostly to fleets in the U.S.
GM has already built over 1.5 million flex-fuel vehicles, most of them sold in the Brazilian market where sugarcane ethanol has powered a significant portion of the country's fleet since the 1970's oil crisis, although it wasn't until 2003 that the flex technology -- meaning the same engine being able to use either fuel -- entered mass production. Flex cars are also popular in Sweden, and several other manufacturers, including Ford and Volkswagen, also market the technology.
Also featuring cylinder deactivation to further improve fuel economy, the new 2007 Chevy Avalanche will be officially launched at this month’s Chicago Auto Show.