The environmental story behind E85 is dependent on geography and production infrastructure and is of course still evolving. Nevertheless it remains a highly cost effective, technically achievable method of promoting a low CO2 image. When combined with turbocharging it is even possible in some cases (as in Saab’s “BioPower”) to reward the customer for being green by providing them with more power!

One of the most attractive features of E85 is the relatively low impact on engine hardware. Currently most gasoline engines can be used as a basis although the introduction of reference fuel with –7C emissions testing for EUV and CARB will provide a strong advantage for the use of DI combustion.

The E85 EMS strategy and calibration can also be built efficiently using a mature gasoline application as a basis although suitable modifications must be made in certain critical areas. Using experience and modified processes it is possible for IP to offer accelerated timing and overcome some hurdles that may otherwise stand in the way. Where the application is a low volume E85 derivative based on a mature product, project delivery can typically be achieved in around 12 months.

For example a major challenge for typical low volume applications can be the availability and timing of modifications to EMS strategy. Using our expertise in this area we can minimise the required support from the EMS supplier whilst a strategy prototyping system can be used to maintain application engineering activities ahead of availability of suitable ECUs.