Zapping Autonews Green Nissan Qashqai e-Power (2022): details of the plug-in hybrid version
There is no need to create a false tension. Yes, you can mix E85 with Lead Free 95. Preferably one that contains 10% ethanol. Namely the SP95 (E10).
If this practice is possible without prior installation of an approved box, it is not really advisable. The question did not arise a few months ago, but with the recent and sudden increase in fuel prices, it has become a recurring question. Motorists who choose to inject 30% ethanol into their tank to lower the bill are becoming more and more numerous.
It must be said that for many motorists the installation of a box is a hellish amount (from 700 to 1300 €) and that the help of the local authorities is not very numerous (a handful of departments, regions or municipalities provide financial assistance).
No problem mixing E85 and petrol
If your car is boxed or has a stock FlexFuel (there are a handful of models available in the UK), there is no downside to mixing SP95 and E85. Indeed, despite the fact that ethanol has the designation biofuel, it contains a proportion of gasoline. About 40% in winter and 15% in summer. And vice versa, lead-free contains a small proportion of bioethanol in its composition: 5% for SP95 (E5) and 10% for SP95 (E10).
In which case can we have to mix gasoline and E85?
Of course, if your car is boxed or has FlexFuel in stock, you will tend to run on E85. A cheaper and less polluting fuel than unleaded. However, superethanol-E85 is not everywhere. So you may not find any stations nearby while refueling.
Last March there were even almost 2,800 Superethanol-E85. A figure that represents 30% of the network of stations in France and which should increase rapidly given the enthusiasm for this fuel. Note that – for drivers using Superethanol-E85 – the My Stations E85 application indicates the stations where the fuel is available (on Android and on iPhone† And she is very well made.
In brief
Yes, it is possible to mix Superethanol-E85 with Unleaded 95. Provided your vehicle is fitted with an approved unit or if it is original FlexFuel. A legitimate question when this biofuel “only” or “already” represents 30% of the stations in the area (depending on the point of view).
