(NewsUSA) - Choice can be a wonderful thing, especially when it comes to fueling your car.

With prices rising for traditional fossil fuels, alternative fuels such as E85 - a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline - are growing in popularity and prevalence. But because most car models are still designed to operate exclusively on gasoline, consumers are faced with a dilemma: Their cars may not be able to run on what could become the next generation of fuel.

Flexible fuel vehicles, those that can run on either gasoline or ethanol, are not yet mainstream in the U.S., but Virginia-based XcelPlus has introduced a device that can be installed in ordinary cars to convert them into flexible fuel vehicles.

Most cars can be retrofitted in just about an hour or less with this technology that was developed in Brazil, according to Bill Smith, president of XcelPlus.

For years, flexible fuel vehicles have experienced enormous popularity in other parts of the world. According to an article by Ethanol Producer Magazine, flexible fuel vehicles represented 70 percent of Brazil's new car sales in 2005.

But despite the foreign popularity of this technology and its viability for use in the United States, American manufacturers have largely been slow to incorporate it into their vehicles, and the vast majority of U.S. cars still run on gasoline.

But with FlexTek, the choice is in consumers' hands or, rather, in their engines.

Developed in Brazil, FlexTek can be quickly and easily installed in about 30 minutes, according to XcelPlus. It plugs into the vehicle's existing wiring harness without cutting or splicing, and can be removed at any time, leaving the car unaltered.

FlexTek works by intercepting the signal coming from the car's computer to the fuel injectors. It extends the signal to the injectors so that enough fuel can enter the delivery system, essentially instructing it to function at a rate that allows the burning of gasoline, ethanol or a combination of the two.

For more information and to see if your car can be converted into a flexible fuel vehicle, visit www.flextek.com or call 800-472-7409.

What is a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)?
Flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) are designed to run on E85, a renewable alternative fuel, regular gasoline or any combination of the two fuels. Since 1998, the Chrysler Group has marketed nearly 1.5 million flexible fuel vehicles. Beginning with the 2008 model year, approximately one in four new Chrysler Group vehicles will be flex fuel capable. All Chrysler Group FFVs are labeled on the inside of the fuel filler door and in the owner’s manual.

What is E85?
E85 is a motor fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is made using a process similar to that used to produce beverage alcohol. Most ethanol in the U.S. is made from corn, although other sources, such as sugar beets, can also be used to produce ethanol.

The Benefits and Challenges of E85

Benefits
Renewable, replaces gasoline in fuel
Made from American agricultural crops
Reduces dependence on oil for transportation
Improved performance when engine optimized for E85 use

Challenges
Reduced fuel economy, fuel consumption is approximately 30 percent higher
Lack of supporting infrastructure
Typically more expensive primarily due to small network of fueling locations

The 2007 Chrysler Group FFV Line-Up
Sport-utility vehicles with 4.7-liter engine – Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Commander
Pickup trucks with 4.7-liter engine – Dodge Ram and Dakota
Minivans with 3.3-liter engine – Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country
Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger sedans with 2.7-liter engine

Locating a Biofuel Station in Your Area

Biodiesel
To located a biodiesel fueling station in your area, visit www.biodiesel.org. 

• Select “Buying Biodiesel”
• Select “Biodiesel Retailers Map” 
• Select your state on the map 
• List of fueling stations will appear on the screen

E85
To located an E85 fueling station in your area, visit www.e85fuel.com. 

• Select “Find E85 Near You” 
• Select your state on the map 
• List of fueling stations will appear on the screen