It’s What Michigan Wants

Cindy Zimmerman

Michigan-based retailer Meijer opened its first E85 ethanol fueling station this week in Warren, MI. According to a company release, the pump is one of 20 which will be installed at Meijer gas stations across the state before the end of this year. In April, Meijer, General Motors, CleanFUEL USA and the State of Michigan announced a collaborative partnership to …

Car Makers, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Toyota “Considering” FFVs

Cindy Zimmerman

While all of the “Big Three” U.S. car makers are pushing their lines of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on up to 85 percent ethanol, Toyota continues to mull it over. A press release this week quoted Toyota Motor North America president Jim Press saying, Toyota is strongly considering introducing a flex-fuel vehicle program in the U.S. “We’re already …

Car Makers, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Big 3 FFV Promise

Cindy Zimmerman

DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation have announced plans to double the annual production of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) to two million by the year 2010. According to an Illinois Corn Growers release, the auto manufacturers pledged this commitment last week in a letter addressed to members of Congress signed by Chrysler Group President and CEO, Tom LaSorda, …

Car Makers, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Ethanol Corridor Opens

Cindy Zimmerman

VeraSun Energy Corporation and Ford Motor Company have officially opened a new Midwest Ethanol Corridor. According to a VeraSun release, the corridor will increase the availability of VE85″, VeraSun’s branded E85, with the addition of 14 new retail locations along I-55 in Illinois. VeraSun’s branded E85 fuel, VE85″, is now available at more than 70 retail locations across the Midwest, …

Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Flex-Tek Interview

Cindy Zimmerman

I spoke with Bill Smith, CEO of XCel Plus International about the E-85 Ethanol FlexTek Adaptor Kit that they are launching here in the U.S. I abbreviated our interview to 7:30 minutes for your listening pleasure. Flex-Tek Interview (7:30 min MP3) He goes into a lot of detail about how the converter works and says it is a proven technology …

Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

E85 Adapter

Cindy Zimmerman

If you want to use 85 percent ethanol in your car but don’t want to buy a new flex-fuel vehicle, XCel Plus International can help. This Virginia-based company has just announced the nationwide product launch of the E-85 Ethanol FlexTek Adaptor Kit. According to a company release, once installed on a vehicle, this kit will allow the engine to operate …

Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Phoenix Flex Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

E85 can now be sold in the greater Phoenix area. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano recently signed a bill into law that will allow the alternative fuel to be available throughout Maricopa County, according to a release from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. “Our deep appreciation is extended to Representative Boone and his associates, as well as Weights and Measures, and …

Clean Cities Congress, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Pricing Right at the Pump

Cindy Zimmerman

This article in the Billings (MT) Gazette offers a refreshingly positive look at ethanol compared to many stories in the mainstream media this week. While acknowledging some of the concerns, such as negative publicity regarding the fuel’s energy balance and the lack of flex-fuel vehicles and E85 pumps, it notes that ethanol in Montana is being priced right. Sherrie Allyn, …

Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles