Fuel efficiency E85 comparison in IL State Taurus fleet

7.7 Vehicle and Road Maintenance - FFVs & HEVs:

"Ethanol FFVs have been used in Illinois since 1992, according to the state's fleet manager, Barbara Bonansinga. As of 1998, the department had purchased nearly 600 FFVs, representing 19% of the passenger vehicles in the state fleet. Based on vehicles driven 80,000 miles, the department has found that most repair costs for FFVs are similar to those for conventional vehicles. The average fuel efficiency for a conventional Taurus vehicle was 25.5 miles per gallon while a Taurus FFV averaged 23.5 miles per gallon. To date, the cars have received high marks for driving, engine-wear, and maintenance and repair. "