| Volvo launched FlexiFuel cars powered by | | | | construction projects underway in the US to |
| renewable bioethanol on some European | | | | boost ethanol production. They are expected |
| markets. The green range is extended to | | | | to add 3.8 billion gallons of new capacity in |
| include the new Volvo C30, which will be | | | | the next 18 months. |
| featuring eco-optimised FlexiFuel power. | | | | |
| | | | Growth in American fuel ethanol production is |
| "Interest in ethanol as a vehicle fuel is | | | | attributed largely to financial incentives |
| growing in Europe," says Gerry Keaney, Senior | | | | that exist when oil prices are in excess of a |
| Vice President Market, Sales and Customer | | | | certain level, as ethanol typically costs |
| Service at Volvo Cars. "We are therefore | | | | under $1.50 per gallon to manufacture and is |
| expanding our range with additional models on | | | | exempt from the $0.52 per gallon federal |
| a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo's | | | | gasoline tax. Nonetheless, the biggest |
| FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden will be | | | | national fuel ethanol industries are in |
| Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, the | | | | Brazil. |
| Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and | | | | |
| Norway." | | | | The C30, S40 and the V50, three of nine Volvo |
| | | | models, are now available in an |
| "It's very encouraging that the market is | | | | environmentally optimized FlexiFuel |
| expanding and that political initiatives are | | | | alternative. These cars are powered by a |
| being taken," continues Gerry Keaney. In | | | | four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that |
| France, the government has announced its plan | | | | is capable of producing 125 horsepower. |
| to build 500 fuel stations for E85 this year. | | | | Bioethanol and gasoline are both filled in |
| E85, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 | | | | the same 55 liter tank. Volvo engine parts |
| percent gasoline, will be produced locally | | | | like fuel hoses, gaskets and valves are |
| from agricultural products like sugar-beet | | | | enhanced to stand the corrosive properties of |
| and several grains. At present, there are 23 | | | | ethanol. Also, the injection valves are |
| plants producing ethanol in Europe and said | | | | reinforced and made larger to accommodate |
| number is expected to rise to more than 60 | | | | more fuel needs. E85 has lower energy content |
| next year. In said territory, about 1.8 | | | | hence more fuel is injected into the engine. |
| million liters of ethanol are produced every | | | | In addition, the cars also come with an |
| year and this capacity is expected to | | | | updated software calibration designed for |
| increase threefold in 2008. | | | | ethanol power. To monitor the mixture of |
| | | | fuels and to automatically blend ignition and |
| Ethanol, an entirely renewable fuel, is | | | | injection, the automaker use sophisticated |
| produced from about any biomass source. One | | | | engine management system to do the tasks |
| method of generating ethanol is through | | | | efficiently. |
| fermentation of sugar. Ethanol is also known | | | | |
| as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol however, in | | | | "A renewable fuel will not, on its own, be |
| common usage it is referred to simply as | | | | able to replace today's fossil fuels, and the |
| alcohol. As a vehicle fuel, ethanol creates | | | | range of alternative fuels will probably be |
| very little pollution when burned. | | | | far wider in the future. Many different fuels |
| | | | and technologies will therefore be developed |
| According to the Renewable Fuels Association, | | | | in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on |
| as of November 2006; 107 grain ethanol | | | | fossil fuels and Volvo's FlexiFuel programme |
| biorefineries in the United States have the | | | | thus makes a vital contribution to our |
| capacity to produce 5.1 billion gallons of | | | | strategy of environmental sustainability," |
| ethanol annually. There are additional 56 | | | | concluded Gerry Keaney. |