Go Green: Dodge Flex Fuel Rollout Update for 2008 MY

By Steven Mazure
Environmental Planning Specialist

In support of Dodge and Chrysler LLC’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the E85 (85% ethanol / 15% gasoline) Flexible Fuel Vehicle rollout for 2007-2008 is in full swing. In Powertrain Strategy, we have been incorporating FFVs into the product plan over the last several years. If you purchased or leased one of the 2008 MY vehicles listed below*, you should have noticed the bright yellow fuel cap and the Flex Fuel badge on the rear surface:

* 3.3L Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country
* 2.7L Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring
* 4.7L Dodge Dakota (automatic)
* 4.7L Dodge Ram1500 (automatic)
* 4.7L Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen
* 4.7L Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander (*) Available in Federal emission states

We will produce nearly 500,000 new FFVs in 2008 adding to the more than 1.5 million Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep FFVs already on the road. In addition, we have committed to having half of our fleet capable of alternative fuels by 2012, if E85 fuel is widely available.

FFVs are part of the answer to our national energy security options by reducing the need for oil in transportation. Because E85 is a renewable fuel, FFVs contribute to reduced greenhouse gases (CO2) over their life cycle. As corn or future other biomass is grown to be converted to ethanol fuel, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to balance the CO2 released during driving.

Approximately 1,100 E85 stations exist in the U.S. with more coming on line. Because E85 contains 25% to 35 % less energy per gallon than regular gasoline, the vehicles’ range and fuel economy will be less than a gasoline vehicle; however, prices of E85 are usually significantly less than gasoline. With your Chrysler FFV, you can do your part for the environment by filling with E85 when convenient to you.

We’re working on these types of programs all the time, so feel free to send along any questions you might have and we’ll do our best to answer them for you.