GM Provides 28 E85 Avalanches for Flex Fuel Promotion

8 February 2005

GM is providing E85-capable (flex fuel) Chevrolet Avalanches for use in 28 member states of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (GEC), a bipartisan group of governors devoted to the promotion and increased use of ethanol. E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline.

GM will begin delivering the E85 Avalanches beginning in March 2005 as part of a campaign by GM and the GEC to promote the use and benefits of ethanol.

GM is currently the largest producer of E85 flexible fuel vehicles in the United States, with more than 1.1 million vehicles on the road and with vehicles available for sale in all 50 states. Unfortunately, with only some 300 public E85 fueling stations in the country, the full potential benefit of the flex fuel platforms goes unrealized.

GM will continue to do its part by producing flexible fuel vehicles. But, we will not enjoy the full benefits of ethanol until we drive as much ethanol as possible to gas station pumps. Collaborative efforts like the one we announced today are critical to encourage improvements to the E85 infrastructure and to help educate and encourage consumers to use E85 in their flexible fuel vehicles whenever possible.

—Thomas Stephens, GM Powertrain group vice president

The E85 Avalanche uses a 5.3-liter V-8 that produces 295 hp (220 kW) of power and 330 lb-ft (447 Nm) of torque, and meets ULEV-1 emissions specifications.

The difference between ULEV-1 (which is phasing out from 2004–2007) and ULEV-2 (which is phasing in from 2004 on) is in NO_x and PM emissions; NMOG, CO and HCHO requirements remain the same.

Ethanol, with a lower energy content than gasoline, lowers fuel efficiency of the engine. The chart below compares the Avalanche running on E85 vs straight gasoline. The estimate of annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions is on a full-fuel cycle basis, and is from the EPA. Even though fuel consumption with E85 is 33% higher, the estimated greenhouse gas emissions are 27% lower.

GM will provide E85-capable Chevrolet Avalanches for use in the following GEC member states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.