Originally published December 7 2005
Flex fuel vehicle owners say it's hard to find ethanol at the pumps
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Sixteen states have yet to acquire ethanol fuel pumps, and many authorities, including auto industry executives, are seeking to address the problem as production of flexible fuel vehicles promise to expand as legislation increases the incentives for consumers who purchase these vehicles.
Vehicles that can run on alternative fuels such as ethanol are not the future -- they're many of the cars, trucks and SUVs on the road today.
In Louisiana, for example, there are no pumps selling ethanol.
Still, there are several "flex fuel vehicles" that can run on regular gas or E85 -- fuel that is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline: Ford Taurus and Explorer, the Chevrolet Impala and Tahoe, the Dodge Ram and Chrysler Sebring sedan.
Michelle Kautz, communications director for the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, said there are about 6 million flex fuel vehicles in operation.
Rob Minton, the communications director for General Motors' fleet and commercial operations, said GM is the largest producer of E85-capable vehicles in the nation with 1.5 million on the road today.
Robert W. Thomas of Shreveport drives an Escalade, which he says is painfully expensive to fill up.
"Anything that would bring these fuel prices down, because they're really getting outrageous, and it's cleaner burning, so it's good for the environment, so I'm definitely for it," he said.
Thomas said he would be interested in a more economical option for his next car purchase, but even if he did have a flex fuel vehicle there's nowhere to fill it up with E85 in Louisiana.
The 2005 Energy Bill, which goes into effect Jan. 1, offers a tax credit from 2006 to 2008 for establishing alternative fuel infrastructure for 30 percent up to $30,000 of the installation costs.
"We've had a couple of retailers that have contacted us recently from Arkansas.
To bring E85 to any area, particularly an oil state like Louisiana, Kautz said it is going to take a grass-roots effort of consumers asking retailers for it.
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