Alkol Says your Car Can Run on E85 in About an Hour
Is Al Costa pulling our leg? The CEO of Delaware-based Alkol Inc. says he has a system that will convert your car to run on E85 in about an hour.
“Flexing” your vehicle with the Alkol conversion system will allow you to use one of those high-ethanol pumps, which contain a mix of 85 percent ethanol, as opposed to the normal 10 percent mix in conventional gasoline. You won’t need a brand new shiny vehicle with one of those “Flex Fuel” badges either.
How does it work? Does it work? Is it like one of those quick-fix radiator sealer bottles that high school kids used to pour into their old jalopies?
Costa says the secret is technology from Brazil, where half of the cars have been running on pure ethanol for a few decades. His company has been using the system to convert cars in Brazil for about 15 years, and is seeking $2 million in capital to implement the technology in the U.S., Costa tells the Cleantech Group.
The system, called 1HourFlex, involves installing a conversion unit, which alters the way alcohol is injected into the combustion chamber; an ignition remapper, which alters how the spark plugs are fired; and a small external fuel tank, for cold starts.
Costa says Alkol is in “stealth mode” for now, but he’s planning to open distribution outlets soon in the U.S., where corn is king when it comes to making ethanol. Brazil relies on sugar cane.
Some disclaimers: Your vehicle has to have less than 100,000 miles and be built before 1994 (there goes my truck), due to carbon buildup in older engines.
The systems are due to sell for about $900, according to Biofuels Digest.
More info on Alkol’s plans may come out when company officials speak at a Biofuels Markets Mexico & Central America event in Mexico City in Oct. 7 and a Global China Business Meeting in Lisbon on Nov. 14, Costa says.
(Image Credits: Courtesy of Alkol).
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August 29th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
The problem with alkol’s kit is that it actually changes the computers mapping along with possibly changing the emission controls. I have been in the E85 flex fuel conversion business for a few years. There are kits out and being used that do not affect the emissions controls at all. These kits can also be installed quickly and also taken off quickly leaving your vehicle un-altered. The cost that Alkol wants to charge is also 5x as much as the kits available now. For more information on converting to E85 flex fuel I urge you and your readers to visit my website. Thank You
September 8th, 2009 at 5:22 am
The post by this johny gentleman is very self indulging, as he´s the maker of a conversion system himself.
He does not mention for example that his system has actually 1 part only, whereas the one mentioned here apparently has 3.
Also, if I had to rely on websites for credibility, and having visited both, I´d definitely go for alkols.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Self indulging? I can tell you that the EPA gives us no problems with our conversion kits simple because we do not change any controls and sensors. With our kits your vehicles CPU remains in control. Alkol first off is remapping the ignition which is changing the vehicles CPU. Next, they are adding an external tank for cold starts. Something really doesn’t sound safe with a small tank of gasoline in the engine compartment. Finally, the cost is 4 to 5 times as much as kits available now. The truth here is that this company is looking to raise Millions and no one has yet to see results and how the EPA will accept the product here in the U.S. The difference between the 2 companies… My company does this to allow people to do something for their fellow americans, not to make big profits.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:59 am
I checked and your system is NOT approved by the EPA.
Only the FlexBox Smart Kit (http://flexfuelus.com) is, and only for the Dodge 5.7L and 6.1L engines, and for Ford 4.6L engines.
And it sells for US$1295!
So your claims on price, EPA, etc are moot.
So don´t come with this patriotic talk unless you can provide real substance.