Ford was the first vehicle manufacturer in Europe to offer production passenger vehicles with Flexifuel Vehicle (FFV) technology.

Every driver knows that motoring and alcohol don't go together. But beneath the bonnet of a Ford Flexifuel Vehicle, it's an altogether different story. Ford’s Flexifuel Vehicles run on alcohol instead of petrol, or a combination of both. Or, more precisely, the engine burns E85 (E85 is an 85% blend of bioethanol), which can be obtained from natural products such as wood residues, sugar beet, wheat or crop waste.

With the use of these renewable raw materials as the basis of bioethanol, the Ford Focus and Ford C-MAX Flexifuel vehicles can be considered as truly green vehicles as they are part of a 'closed carbon cycle' due to bioethanol having an almost neutral CO2 balance.

Bioethanol is alcohol obtained from fermentation of raw materials containing starch and sugar, for example wood residues, crops or sugar beet, or other biomass (waste organic matter, which can be animal or vegetable). Use of these renewable raw materials helps to protect our finite fossil fuel resources.

It can. In the ideal world, burning of bioethanol is CO2 neutral, because it is part of a closed carbon loop. This means the CO2 which is burned during combustion was previously extracted from the atmosphere by photosynthesis, which occurred during the growth of the plants. When considered over the complete life cycle, the CO2 balance for ethanol operation can be up to 80% below the CO2 emissions for petrol operation.

Currently bioethanol (E85) is available to fuel Ford’s Flexifuel Vehicles at 14 Morrison’s filling stations across the UK and the list is growing all the time. Of course, should you be outside the range of the nearest station, you can fill up on unleaded petrol.

In Sweden, where the Ford Focus Flexifuel Vehicle was introduced in 2001, sales of biofuel models now account for more than 80% of all Focus models sold. Following its success, Ford has gradually introduced Flexi-Fuel vehicles in many other European countries. In 2006 we sold more than 10,000 Focus and Focus C-MAX Flexifuel vehicles across Europe, vehicles which can run on a combination of bioethanol and unleaded petrol.

Ford Focus and C-MAX Flexifuel vehicles both use a state-of-the-art 1.8 litre Flexifuel engine. It can run on bioethanol, petrol or any mixture of the two. If you're running low on fuel, you can use petrol, should bioethanol not be available. The engine automatically detects which fuel is present and makes any necessary adjustments, so all you notice is smooth, powerful performance. That’s the same great drive, handling and sheer pulling power for which Ford vehicles are known: from torque to acceleration, across town and country.

By combining one of our vehicles with a Flexifuel engine you are combining driving fun with a modern and ecologically sound technology of the future.

By choosing a Focus Flexifuel Vehicle, you also experience quality at the highest level with its innovative technologies – from Automatic Headlights to rain sensing wipers - and use of the best materials. Choose which suits you: the refined 5-door hatch back or the stylish and practical Focus Estate.

Coming soon, the new Ford C-MAX is set to be the perfect partner for everything family life throws at you. It offers a unique combination of a versatile, modern interior with great styling and an exceptional driving experience. With plenty of smart stowage, C-MAX comfortably accommodates five adults and their luggage. And thanks to a lively engine and power steering, the C-MAX Flexifuel Vehicle will easily handle the road as well as the family.

Soon more Flexifuel vehicles will be available from Ford. We’re adding three new models to the range – the all-new Mondeo, new Ford Galaxy and Ford S-MAX – Car of the Year 2007. This will gives us the broadest range of flexible fuel vehicles in Europe – and you the largest choice when it comes to finding a Flexifuel vehicle which meets your needs.

Ford’s Flexifuel vehicles will be out and about across the UK at many vehicle shows this year. So if you want to see them for yourself: