Is sugar cane the solution to the oil crisis?
Its bold move with the Commodore will usher in the age of flex-fuel cars, capable of drawing on a source of sustainable fuel to help owners make the most of dwindling oil supplies. By 2020, the maker wants to have a flex-fuel option for almost every model it sells in Australia. Even better, the flex-fuel engine won’t cost customers any more money to buy. Australia, and Holden for that matter, are no strangers to ethanol. For some of us, it’s been an unconscious part of our regular routine of filling up the family car with cheaper E10-blended petrol. Holden has even shown several E85-compatible vehicles under the guise of concept cars, including the V8-engined Sportwagon (passed off as a US-only export) and the Coupe 60 (billed as Holden’s 60th anniversary present to Australia). The maker also sold ethanol-friendly versions of the Commodore to Brazil as part of a former export program that helped Holden hone its skills. Holden is keeping its powder dry, holding back most details about t
