Do automobile manufacturers support the use of hydrous ethanol?
In general, auto manufacturers do not support either midlevel anhydrous or hydrous ethanol blends for use in legacy vehicles (non-FFVs) which have not been “officially tested and approved” for engine performance, durability and emissions. Auto manufacturers have invested heavily in FFV technology and they would obviously prefer to sell FFVs which have already been tested rather than risk problems resulting from using midlevel anhydrous or hydrous ethanol in non-FFVs. For these reasons, auto manufacturers will void warranty on legacy vehicles when untested/unapproved midlevel ethanol blends are utilized.Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of operating on gasoline, E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), or any mixture of both. FFVs qualify as alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). They also qualify for AFV tax credits and can provide emissions benefits (DOE AFDC Alternative & Advanced Vehicles). Sales of FFVs entitle US auto manufacturers to Corpora
