Colorado motorists will see 45 new E85 ethanol-fueling locations by the end of the year, more than tripling the number of stations in the state.
Gov. Bill Ritter and General Motors officials on Thursday announced the expansion – up from the state’s current 13 E85 fueling stations – as part of Ritter’s drive to a “new energy economy” centered on renewable energy.
E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Most of the nation’s ethanol supply comes from corn.
Ethanol fuels are suitable for cars and trucks designated “flexible fuel,” meaning the vehicles can use any combination of gasoline and ethanol.
Ritter said greater use of E85 will help reduce petroleum imports, produce fewer particulate emissions, benefit corn growers and stimulate economic development through new ethanol-manufacturing plants.
“We’re not doing this just to be doing it or even just for the economic development,” Ritter said. “It’s important for the environment.”
Ethanol sales in Colorado have been stunted by a lack of fueling locations and poor awareness by owners of flex-fuel vehicles that they can use ethanol, analysts say.
As part of the new E85 initiative, GM dealers in Colorado will emphasize the marketing and consumer awareness of flex-fuel cars and trucks – for example, some Saturn Relays and Chevy Silverados.
“If I were to tell the thousands of owners of flex-fuel vehicles that that’s what they own, most of them would be surprised,” said Paul Suss, general manager of Suss Buick Pontiac GMC. “Now, we hope to develop a competitive advantage.”
Installation of the new pumps will be funded by a total of $1 million in federal grants, state funds and money from the Colorado Corn Growers Association.
The pumps will be placed at existing filling stations in Aurora, Alamosa, Brighton, Cañon City, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Denver, Delta, Divide, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, La Jara, Longmont, Parker, Pueblo and other cities not yet designated.
Use of ethanol has been controversial nationally. Proponents tout its renewable nature and clean-burning qualities. Critics say ethanol has less energy than gasoline and thus produces fewer miles per gallon. They also note that ethanol is competitive with gasoline prices only because of federal subsidies for corn growers and ethanol producers.
The average price per gallon of E85 varies statewide from $1.99 to $2.61, according to the Colorado Corn Growers Association website.
