Why aren't there hybrid/E-85 Cars?

Question

Why haven't car companies come out with a car that has a hybrid system AND runs on E-85 Ethonol fuel?

Also does anyone know about Saab's 100% Ethonol powered engine?

Answer 1

E85 is a political ploy, not a way to conserve resources.

Answer 2

Ethanol contains too much water and is not suitable for hybrids.  Hybrids need higher compression engines for better efficient.  Water doesn't compress

Answer 3

There are gasoline-electric hybrids which can use E-85.  GM is making some, and Ford just unveiled one.  These are frequently called "flex fuel hybrids" because they can use anything from straight gasoline to E-85 to power the combustion engine.  These companies already had flex fuel engines, so a flex fuel hybrid isn't a stretch.  Toyota and Honda didn't have flex fuel engines, but they do now.  It won't be long until we see these in hybrids.

Outside of Brazil: E-100 is typically used for racing.  Engines which run on ethanol are not new.  To see an E-100 engine in a consumer vehicle would be a little strange, because E-100 is not widely available, and usually sold in 5 gallon jugs or 55 gallon drums.

Inside Brazil: A straight E-100 engine is somewhat rare.  Most Brazilians prefer the flex fuel vehicles, because they typically use some mixture of gasoline and ethanol, anywhere between E-20 and E-100.

Answer 4

Because corn-based ethanol both decreases fuel efficiency and does more environmental harm than good.  That goes against the goals of hybrids.