So now that Ford is throwing it's hat more forcibly into the E85 ring (which I believe makes all 3 of the US auto companies).

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/...iness/ford.php

How long before Honda/Toyota start to offer FlexFuel vehicles? If Big 3/Governmental push for E85 puts it in enough gas stations, how long before the Japanese automakers start offering E85 hybrids?

Brazil. That problem was solved a long, long time ago.

So do you want to burn up 100 acres of ethanol crops per year or 40 acres?

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Actually, since the Bush Administration is a big fan of coal, I'm surprised there isn't a push at GM to build a coal/hybrid Hummer Hc that gets 8 miles per 10 pounds of coal.

Now I have a mental image of Dad turning around to address his coal-soot-covered 5-year-old in the back seat: "Shovel faster, Timmy!"

Would-be hypermiler

First off, please forgive my modification of your original wording. It needed to be added.

To answer the question, it may take a while but I'm fairly certain that everyone who is developing hybrid applications is looking at it. Thus the modification to your wording. There is some science that has to be overcome. E85 and AT-PZEV are at this point mutually exclusive content. E85 has more evaporative emissions than basic E10 gasoline. Zero Evap emissions is one of the requirements of qualifying as an ATPZEV. Application of hybrid ATPZEV volume to address ZEV Mandate requirements in California and several Northeastern states that subscribe to CARB guidelines is a key motivator for most, if not all, of the companies that have hybrid applications planned. The first company that can solve the puzzle will likely be the first to develop an E85 hybrid for the US market. If hybrids ever take hold in Europe, where I believe there is currently no corrolary to US ZEV Mandates, you might see an E85 hybrid application.

Peace,

Martin

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

You say that like it's a bad thing

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

One night this week, on the BBC, an Englishman was argueing that it would be quicker to convert existing plants from coal to clean coal than nuclear plants because of the red tape.

Someone would have to check it out, but a plug-in hybrid getting recharged from a clean coal plant might be emit less CO2 than a CNG or E85 vehicle.

I'll agree that promoting conventional coal plants is a bad idea.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated