What is E85? Complete Guide to Flex Fuel & Ethanol Gasoline
E85 is an ethanol-heavy fuel blend (51-83% ethanol) for flex fuel vehicles. Learn what E85 is, how it differs from regular gas, benefits, drawbacks, and if it's right for your car.
Find E85 flex fuel stations throughout Alabama. Use the interactive map below to locate stations near you.
E85 is available in major areas. Check station locations before heading out.
Alabama offers 37 E85 stations distributed across its major metropolitan areas, providing reasonable coverage for flex fuel vehicle owners in urban regions while rural areas remain challenging.
The state's E85 infrastructure centers on three key corridors: the I-65 spine running through Montgomery and Birmingham, the Tennessee Valley around Huntsville, and scattered coverage along I-20 and I-85. Alabama lacks in-state ethanol production, relying on regional supply chains including the POET Terminal in Camilla, Georgia.
Alabama offers no direct consumer tax credits for E85 purchases. However, a 1.5% investment tax credit exists for companies investing in biofuel production, claimable annually for up to ten years.
Station distribution favors Alabama's largest cities. Montgomery leads with five stations, followed by the Huntsville-Madison-Decatur corridor. Birmingham and Tuscaloosa offer several stations each, while Mobile provides the Gulf Coast's only E85 option. Major retailers including Murphy USA and RaceTrac provide E85 in Alabama.
The I-65 corridor delivers the most reliable E85 access, while I-20 near Birmingham offers moderate options. Critically, I-10 along the Gulf Coast has minimal coverage—drivers traveling through southern Alabama should plan carefully.
E85 typically runs 10-20% below regular gasoline per gallon, though drivers must factor in the 15-27% reduction in fuel economy.
Fill up in Montgomery, Birmingham, or Huntsville before extended rural travel. The I-10 corridor requires particular planning—consider fueling in Mobile before heading toward Mississippi or Florida. Hot Alabama summers actually favor E85's higher ethanol content, avoiding the cold-start issues that plague northern markets.
E85 is an ethanol-heavy fuel blend (51-83% ethanol) for flex fuel vehicles. Learn what E85 is, how it differs from regular gas, benefits, drawbacks, and if it's right for your car.
Compare the real-world costs of E85 versus regular gasoline for your vehicle. Learn how to calculate cost per mile and determine if E85 saves you money.
Learn 5 ways to identify if your vehicle is flex fuel compatible. Check for yellow gas caps, FFV badges, and use your VIN to verify E85 compatibility before filling up.
Find E85 stations along your travel route. Perfect for road trips and long-distance travel.
Open Route Planner →View E85 station availability across all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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