Posted: 5/8/07
As gas prices climb, E-85 offers affordable alternative
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Once again, gas prices edge towards $3 per gallon, many drivers are wondering whether E-85 may be the way to go.
E-85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Currently, it is about 60 cents per gallon cheaper than unleaded gasoline. The only E-85 pumps in Caledonia are found at Caledonia Oil.
Bob Lemke, who owns Caledonia Oil with Eric Hefte, said he wasnít sure he was doing the right thing when he installed the E-85 pumps in October because gas prices were going down. With the recent surge in prices, however, the E-85 pumps are busy and getting busier.
"Itís the coming thing," said Lemke, who explained that one of the incentives for installing the pumps was a grant from the American Lung Association.
In order to take advantage of E-85, vehicles must be "flexible fuel" compatible. Many drivers will fill their tanks with half E-85 and half gasoline, Lemke noted. He estimated that E-85 accounts for about 10 percent of his business, but is a growing segment.
All diesel fuel in Minnesota is at least two percent biofuel. Soybeans are a source of biofuel.
Vehicles powered by E-85 get slightly less mileage than their gas counterparts, but E-85 burns cleaner and releases less carbon into the atmosphere. It can be made from a variety of plants, but the most common source is corn. E-85 has an octane rating of 105. Ethanol degrades quickly in water, so accident spills are not harmful to the environment. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, motorized vehicles are the number one cause of air pollution in the state.
Habits slow to change
Even with gas creeping towards $3 per gallon, peopleís driving habits donít seem to change much, Lemke observed. They complain about the price, but they still seem to drive as much.
For drivers who donít have a flexible fuel vehicle, there are some other ways to increase fuel economy, including regular car maintenance, keeping tires properly inflated, and changing the air filter when needed.
Lemke said that in addition to offering a lower cost alternative, he likes the idea of corn-based ethanol.
"If it helps the farmer, it helps the town," he said.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com