E85 Caltex rollout

[Boxer]

A growing number of ethanol-focused new cars, including the Series II update of the Holden Commodore in October, has sparked an E85 push in Australia.

Caltex has just committed to install E85 ethanol pumps at 100 service stations in a little over 12 months, becoming the first mainstream fuel company to make a move on E85.

It will begin the roll-out with 30 metropolitan and regional stations in time for the arrival of the VEII, joining about 400 stations which currently sell E10 fuel. The E85 fuel - already used in V8 Supercar racing as part of a green push - is made to a world standard and 70-85 per cent ethanol.

In contrast, E10 has only 10 per cent ethanol content. The difference with ethanol is that it is an alcohol fuel made from plant material and not a petroleum-based fossil fuel. But the arrival of E85 at Caltex pumps is not the end of the ethanol story, as GM Holden and Caltex are also part of a six-way consortium - with Veolia, Mitsui, Coskata and the Victorian government - which plans to begin making ethanol fuel in Australia from rubbish.

Coskata announced plans to create ethanol-from-waste fuel in the USA more than 18 months ago and was quickly joined in a partnership by General Motors, which is the world's largest producer of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on E85 fuels.

The Australia deal is likely to see a plant built in Victoria to manufacture second-generation ethanol fuel, a move which overcomes the 'food for fuel' debate in the USA where corn stock is the base material for E85.

[04GTLIB]

Hey Pete, do they have an idea on cost at all?

[Boxer]

Rumors have it at 99c a litre, whether your 4c shop a dockets work I dunno Rusty

[04GTLIB]

Rumors have it at 99c a litre, whether your 4c shop a dockets work I dunno Rusty

Ahhhhh. I live for my shop a dockets.

I can't say the "C" word (Caltex) too much Pete.
My boss (at BP) will kick my arse.

[senator]

about time...... i have heard HSV and FPV is releasing the next series to run on E85

[castek]

i read in street machine mag a while back, they tuned an xr6 turbo to run on E85 and made more power.
there were a few mods needed to get it there, but it was more economical, more powerful and cheaper to run!

[senator]

i read in street machine mag a while back, they tuned an xr6 turbo to run on E85 and made more power.
there were a few mods needed to get it there, but it was more economical, more powerful and cheaper to run!

there are alot of high kw sti's and evo's tuned for e 85

[Boxer]

Yes there are!

I know of a nice blue EVO in sydney running e85 with bullshit power and huuge injectors, I know he will be keen to see it at the pumps instead of buying it by the barrel

[jdm rsk]

i read in street machine mag a while back, they tuned an xr6 turbo to run on E85 and made more power.
there were a few mods needed to get it there, but it was more economical, more powerful and cheaper to run!

Thatsxstrange what I have been hearing is it is less economical. Also becareful of the misleading octane rating

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85?wasRedirected=true

[tkboi]

LOL WAYY NOOOO MATE i got a friend that runs e85 and ITS NOT ECONOMICAL AT ALLL ! worst thing ever imo for daily driving, for our cars which are day to day driving i highly recommend to just stick on 98. my friends evo 9 half tank dies after a pretty crazy hill run, but he got it tunned to 98 and e85 *i dont know how* but yea he uses 98 on regular days, but for track best thing in the word, alot more power =)

[The Sean]

I have a mate that is currently tuning a high powered worked over V8 VL commodore and I'm not really sure of the specifics but I'm certain that once tuned and mechanically set up for E85, it will deliver crazy power.

Something about a much higher compression set up is better suited to the E85.

Can't really comment on economy though, he is after a 600hp engine and he's said that if he get 2 hours of cruising out of it, he'd be rapt (read: he don't care about the trees, bees and mileage)

[coyote]

All been covered before.

You will get lower mileage because the specific energy (energy density) is lower, but the fuel will be much cheaper.

The E85 currently being used by the SuperTaxis tests at 108RON.

The high octane means you can run much higher boost and much more timing advance without detonation, you'll just need more fuel.

It burns with a better flame and also runs much cooler.

The day it is available at pumps, I won't use anything else.

[blacktop™]

Yes there are!

I know of a nice blue EVO in sydney running e85 with bullshit power and huuge injectors, I know he will be keen to see it at the pumps instead of buying it by the barrel

huuge injectors are not enough...you need huuuuuuge injectors

see XCUZME evo9:
http://www.evotuned.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=313738

[jdm rsk]

LOL WAYY NOOOO MATE i got a friend that runs e85 and ITS NOT ECONOMICAL AT ALLL ! worst thing ever imo for daily driving, for our cars which are day to day driving i highly recommend to just stick on 98. my friends evo 9 half tank dies after a pretty crazy hill run, but he got it tunned to 98 and e85 *i dont know how* but yea he uses 98 on regular days, but for track best thing in the word, alot more power =)

I meant not economical

[Boxer]

Intent of the thread was not to start up the for and against again as it has been done, but was more for info on the progress.

Still do note as Shane has touched on above - watch the octane claims as this Caltex fuel is the 70-85% variant of E85, meaning the ethanol component will vary by that much and what effect it has on Octane is yet to be proven.

V8 supertaxis fuel and the current availability of drum E85 is reliable 85%

Fuels aint fuels



Comments from industry in-the-knows:

United E85 is made by CSR from molasses waste, approx 104 ron
Powerplus E85 is made from grain alcohol, much better starting point, approx 106 RON

Powerplus E85 will not have a 'winter' mix so to speak. It's just not required here in Australia, doesn't get cold enough. As E85 burns approx 40degrees less than petrol, which will affect spark plug heat ranges
Also depends on the ECU being run. Usually there should be enough cold start configuration available for it to be fairly well sorted.

Caltex deciding to run variable amounts of ethanol is a bit concerning as most people converting most likely won't be going for flex-fuel style setup, ie an ECU that can handle varying amounts of ethanol. So yeah, i guess you would have to cater for the lowest ethanol content, which is a bit crappy.

The powerplus E85 is a better product than United's and has been confirmed they won't change the ratio throughout the year, which makes it the pick if it becomes more widely available. But good on Caltex for getting it started.

Some exciting projects to happen in Vic as well with ethanol to be produced from household waste. Possibility of becoming a VERY green fuel, should be great