Flextek is a flex-fuel conversion technology for cars that originally operated with gasoline. The converter enables the vehicle's fuel system to burn anything up to E100, said Frederico Griese, who invented the technology and established the company named Age Intelligent Technology In Brazil in 2003.

The converter kit fits all 3.5 million passenger cars running on the streets in Thailand. Consequently, motorists do not have to buy a new car when E85 is launched here, said Mr Griese.

More convenient is the fact that drivers can install the converter by themselves without needing any technical skills or engine alternations, he added. "Men or women (min fetning LOL) can do it themselves in no more than 10 minutes and then it starts working immediately."

"Thailand is the first in line, thanks to your government's strong will to enforce the use of alternative fuel," he said. "We are in line with Thailand's drive to switch to biofuels."

As E85 is expected to be priced 50-60% cheaper than gasoline, Mr Griese said Flextek technology "allows car owners to enjoy good savings".

At the same time, E85 is much cleaner, so it helps increase the lifespan of the vehicle's engine, he added..

Mr Griese said that to make the price more affordable here, Sea Horse was preparing to set up a local production line for Flextek converter kits. The production is expected to come onstream by early 2009.