MTVs Video Music Awards this month (August 31) will feature ethanol and flex-fuel vehicles. According to a PR Newswire release from MTV: Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, and MTV’s “Break the Addiction” campaign are partnering around the 2006 Video Music Awards to help educate viewers on E85 ethanol technology in an effort to raise awareness about reducing greenhouse gas …
MN Gov Goes to Bat for E85 Conversion Kits
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the testing of E-85 conversion kits in Minnesota. According to an EarthToys press release, Pawlenty sent a letter this week to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to approve the FlexTek conversion kit (see previous post) which is already being used in Brazil. The EPA currently prohibits a company or individual …
It’s What Michigan Wants
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 …
Toyota “Considering” FFVs
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 …
Big 3 FFV Promise
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, …
Ethanol Corridor Opens
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, …
E85 Observations from the Road
I’m not the only one writing about ethanol on the road. So is Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. Rick’s posting some road commentary on E85 which you can find on this page. It’s not quite blogging but it’s close. Here’s an excerpt from his last post:
Flex-Tek Interview
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 …
E85 Adapter
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 …
E85 Promotional Campaign
A Missouri-based company is getting ready to give away a new Ford F-150 flexible fuel truck. It’s MFA Oil Company and they’ll be announcing full details on Friday, May 26. Wish I could be there.