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Petrol prices are out of control following the conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent Strait of Hormuz blockages, throttling a large portion of oil exports around the world.
Bowsers have reported prices exceeding $3 a litre in certain cities, and diesel has just been flat out unavailable in some areas.
However, there is one nozzle you might’ve noticed when at the petrol station – listed much cheaper and seemingly always available when others aren’t, and that’s the E85 nozzle.
While other octanes such as 98 and 95 soar above the $3 threshold, E85 appears to be holding steady at $2.10 to $2.30 per litre.
So what is it? And how could it actually solve the fuel crisis in Australia?
E85 has slowly been becoming more available in Australia over the past two decades, and if you’re familiar with the popular fuel E10, then you’re already halfway to understanding what E85 is.
It is the blend of a natural-based ethanol fuel and petrol, where E10 is 10 per cent ethanol and 90 per cent petrol, while E85 is 85 per cent ethanol and just 15 per cent petrol.
Ethanol is a biofuel made by fermenting grains and sugars from products such as corn, food waste, and sugar cane. The fermented sugars and grains are then distilled and blended with petrol.
The filler nozzle will often be orange in colour and have the same warning flap on it, similar to the diesel nozzle, to ensure you don’t accidentally reach for it in lieu of a standard petrol filler.
The fuel has had a slow start Down Under following the first installation at a United Petroleum in Brisbane, Queensland. It came after a push from SAAB Australia, which first imported cars to run specifically on E85 with the 9-5 BioPower.
Biofuel didn't start becoming more popular until 2010, when Holden announced that it would release a VE Commodore II with E85 flex-fuel capability in a joint venture with the Victorian Government, Caltex, Veolia, Coskata and Mitsu.
Can I fill my car with E85?
You should not reach for the E85 handle if your car has not specifically been built or modified to run on E85. Ethanol is not a fan of rubber, and on a traditional petrol car, there are a lot of rubber seals between the petrol tank and your engine.
Whereas petrol has some lubricating properties, ethanol runs much drier and will cause thousands of dollars in damage with sustained use – there is also a chance your car will struggle to run on E85 if it has not been tuned for it.
Fuel tanks can begin to rust if not properly supported by E85 in the long term, sending shrapnel through your fuel system, causing a similar effect to non-compatible fuel pumps, which can actually degrade in the ethanol and cause your car to be starved of fuel.
Fuel lines are another issue; incompatible lines can cause the rubber to become brittle and crack with sustained use, causing a fuel leak.
Your fuel injectors, the part that squirts petrol into your engine, will also utilise rubber O-rings in their seals, which can become brittle and crack when not using E85-supported parts.
The internal components of an engine are compatible with E85, but changes will need to be made to the ignition timing due to the fuel's high octane, as well as changes to the fuel map due to E85's higher volume required to run.
Should I convert my car to E85?
In the long term, E85 produces fewer emissions than petrol because it is sourced from natural materials. Agricultural fuel production can also boost the local farming economy. Crops such as corn and sugar cane are currently grown in warmer parts of the Australian east coast.
The problem is that a lot of changes to your vehicle are required to use it – everything from your tank, injectors, fuel lines and engine tune will need to be adjusted to suit.
It also releases less energy when ignited compared with standard petrol, meaning more volume is needed to generate the same amount of power. Similarly, E85 runs cooler than petrol, translating into poor fuel economy and a lot of unburnt fuel if your engine cannot get hot enough to ignite it.
Furthermore, it has a shorter shelf life due to its tendency to separate the petrol from the ethanol, making the fuel quite literally 'go off'.
At this point in time, the petrol is likely not ready for commuter use; it’s still not widespread, mostly only being found in major cities due to its popularity as a motorsport fuel.
However, speaking with Sean Hanley, the Toyota Australia head of sales and marketing, he discussed the prospect of furthering the use of biofuels in Australia.
“People have discarded biofuels a little, and I think there's a future for some cars to reduce emissions through biofuels. We've never deviated from that position in the last few years, despite getting hugely criticised for it, and we don't intend to deviate from it."
Having further support for the further development of this type of fuel could spell an increase in usage over the coming years, seeing less reliance on importation and possibly a localised fuel supply.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
