Not really. Flex-fuel vehicles help the environment at the tailpipe, and could theoretically reduce our oil consumption, but they suffer in terms of cost, fuel efficiency and availability. To date, E85 fueling stations are largely located in the Midwest, with a few scattered stations located in other metropolitan areas. And while automakers have been building flex-fuel vehicles since 1998, there are only a few choices outside of trucks and SUVs. For the 2006 model year, only the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Ford Taurus, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car offer a flex-fuel model. That will change in 2007, as more flex-fuel vehicles come online. But even with a larger pool of vehicles from which to choose, fueling stations must be added in large numbers, and E85 fuel must be made more efficiently – for price and performance – for flex-fuel vehicles to offer a realistic option for car buyers interested in fuel economy, lower emissions and reduced oil consumption. Given the challenges, then, E85-powered vehicles fall short of a credible option today – but may be one in the future. If you’re shopping for a larger vehicle, say a truck or SUV, and plan to keep your vehicle for more than three or four years, flex-fuel may offer a decent long-term gamble. For shoppers more concerned about today, however, flex-fuel is a nice dream in need of a reality check.

Pros:
Clean burning fuel good for the environment
Reduces oil consumption
Same sticker price as a non-flex-fuel vehicle
Slight improvement in performance

Cons:
Lack of fuel stations the carry E85 fuel
Poor efficiency
Higher fuel cost
Few available models on sale

Photos courtesy of the automakers, Ron Perry