Increase in fuel prices: what if you go to E85?10 questions to know everything

Hot blow to the pump.With the rise in oil prices, carried by economic recovery, fuel prices are constantly climbing.The SP 95 E10 has just reached its highest historic.Traumatized by the yellow vests crisis, the government is following the situation near.Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, left the door open to a gesture.

In the meantime, it is already possible to melt your fuel bill, thanks to alternatives.One of the most attractive is the E85, which costs the pump for less than 70 cents per liter.It is more and more followers.The proof: the company "FlexFuel Energy Development", specialized in the sale of boxes to convert its vehicle to the E85, saw its sales jump by 37 % since June compared to the same period of 2019. The company S 'Waits to beat his monthly sales record in October.

But then, if it is not already done, why not you?Caradisiac takes stock of everything you need to know.

What is the E85?

The E85 is a fuel composed of a mixture of gasoline-free petrol (most often 95) and ethanol.According to the season, the share of ethanol varies between 65 % 85 %.Ethanol produced in France is of plant origin, notably from the fermentation of sugars and starch contained in sugar beets and cereals.

How much does the E85 cost?

This is of course the shock argument.At the last statement published by the Ministry of Ecological Transition (October 1), the liter of E85 costs on average in France 0.68 €!At the same time, diesel is € 1.50 and Sans-Plomb 95 E10 at € 1.58!A full of 50 liters of E85 costs € 34, a full of 50 liters of SP 95 E10 is € 79, more than twice as expensive!Another advantage of the E85: its price is stable over time.On January 1, it was € 0.65.For the 95 E10, it was € 1.35!

What are the new models already equipped for the E85?

The E85 may have many advantages, few manufacturers sell already equipped models, called FlexFuel.The one who believes it most is Ford.He was joined by Jaguar and Land Rover.

How to make my vehicle compatible with the E85?

If the vehicle is not directly flexfuel, which is rare, the good news is that the conversion is easy.It is made with the installation of a case, which will adapt the operation of the engine to fuel present in the tank.On this point, there is no change, there is only one reservoir, which can thus be filled with E85 or another type of petrol without a-back.We can therefore drive at SP 95, SP 95 E10, SP 98 or E85 (and make mixtures).

The conversion device will recalculate injection times by taking into account the energy parameters of the fuel that happens as well as the exhaust pollution information.There will be more fuel injected with the E85, which has a lesser calorific power.

Are all vehicles compatible?

Almost all petrol engine models.A decree has indeed widened the list in the spring, since it is now possible to do so with models of more than 15 CVs and models with particle filter.

The conversion is thus permitted for the petrol models indirect and direct injection from the Euro 3 standard, which dates from 2001. This gives nine out of ten petrol vehicles.

How much does the conversion cost?Is it quickly profitable?

Auto centers like Speedy displays packages from € 750.On average, the service will be around € 900/1,000.It's quickly profitable.If consumption with the E85 is up 20 to 25 %, the full is more than half cheaper compared to the SP 95 E10.The fuel budget is reduced by around 40 % with the E85.The kit is therefore profitable quickly.You have to travel around 20,000 km to amortize the installation.And then you ride with a fuel for less than 70 cents per liter.

Are there enough stations?

The distribution network develops at a good speed.A pump opens every day.In early July, there were 2,451 stations that offered E85 in France, just over a quarter of the total.A map offered by the Bioéthanol sector site shows a good network of the territory.

There is even enough to fill up for long journeys, since almost a third of the stations on motorways now have E85.And it is recalled that in the event of an emptied tank, we can put SP 95 instead, without worrying about mixing fuels.

Are there any purchase aids?

At the national level, there is no bonus.On the scrapping bonus side, the rules are those of Crit'Air 1 cars, the premium is therefore reserved for those who have a reference tax income per share under € 13,490.Beware of the CO2 limit.

It is at the regional level that there can be interesting aid.The Great East is one of the most generous regions.She relaunched an operation on June 1, 2021, with € 900 aid of € 900 and then € 5,000 aid of € 500.In Hauts-de-France, there is a boost up to € 400.The Somme Department even adds € 150.In the southern region (ex-PACA), the aid is 250 €.Go to the site of your region/department to find out any aid.

Another advantage: in almost all regions, the gray card is free.In addition, there is a 40 % reduction on the CO2 rate when calculating the penalty.

What are the risks and guarantees?

First of all, you have to choose an authorized installer.Then, you must of course opt for an approved case.The companies that market this kind of case had to follow a severe specifications, and the approval was made by a recognized organization, UTAC-Ceram.

Then what is the risk for the engine?The E85 can be more corrosive.But the pros in the sector want to be reassuring.FlexFuel Energy Development thus underlines that more than 70,000 vehicles have its boxes and does not report any premature wear or even breakage.

The law protects the customer.In the decree of November 30, 2017, it is written: "The manufacturer [of the case] guarantees the preservation of the integrity of engines, tanks, food circuits, post-traitment systems for pollutant and pollutant emissions andAny part likely to be in contact with E85 fuel, of the vehicle on which is installed a conversion device which it markets. It assumes responsibility for a possible deterioration of engines, tanks, feeding circuits, systems ofPost-treatments and from any part likely to be in contact with, or degraded by E85 fuel, due to the installation of this device, and must demonstrate its capacity ".

Rolling with a non -approved case is taking the risk of seeing the guarantee fly away.Likewise, insurance may refuse to cover any damage to the engine.

What are the boxes approved according to the manufacturers?

F = FlexFuel Energy Development;Bi = biomotors, BO = BOREL, A = ARM Engineering, E = EFLEXFUEL