Flex-fuel vehicles are cars and trucks that can run on either ethanol or gasoline, and they are becoming more popular, especially in the Midwest. Flex-fuel technology is a relatively cheap option. For a few hundered dollars per vehicle, car makers can add metal fuel tanks, larger fuel injectors, and software needed for a vehicle to run on either ethanol or gasoline. There are approximately 6 million cars and trucks on the road today that can run on ethanol in any mixture up to 85% (E-85).
There are only about 500 gas stations nationwide, 0.28% of all gas stations in the U.S., that sell E-85. I checked to see if there are any stations in Virginia that [sell E-85](http://www.e85fuel.com/database/locations.php?state=vaVirginia), and I found that there’s only one station open to the general public. There are a couple of other stations in Northern Virginia and Tidewater, but they appear to only be for government use.
Ethanol also creates a secondary market for corn, which increases demand and farmers’ income.
Read (Detroit News)