Ethanol Promotion & Information Council Congratulates GM for Impact on Ethanol Awareness

E-85 Flex Fuel Vehicle Debuts at NASCAR

DAYTONA, Fla., Feb. 18 -- "The ethanol industry congratulates General Motors for its success in creating consumer awareness of the value and benefits of ethanol," said Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council (EPIC). GM created a historic event yesterday when an E-85 Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) served as the pace car for the GM Flex Fuel 250 at Daytona race. A Chevy Silverado pickup running on a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline started the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

"GM is delighted to be able to sponsor the event tonight," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "We are delighted to bring a lot more awareness to the benefits of ethanol to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil."

General Motors launched its "Live green, go yellow!" campaign February 5 during the Super Bowl(R) to promote awareness of E-85 and GM's line of FFVs. GM currently offers nine Flex Fuel Vehicle models and expects to add 400,000 new FFV cars and trucks to the fleet in 2006. This is in addition to the more than five million FFVs already on the road.

"The consumer reaction has been very positive," said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "GM believes it is important to build consumer awareness of Flex Fuel Vehicles. Customers like having a fuel choice -- E-85 or gasoline," she said.

"This is important for American consumers who now have a viable alternative fuel that is good for the environment and performs well in their cars," said Slunecka, who was on site in Daytona. "It's also important for American agriculture, because ethanol is a renewable resource made from U.S. crops."

"GM's promotion of E-85 fuel is helping to build the infrastructure needed for the ethanol industry to continue growing and replacing millions of barrels of non-renewable oil," said Slunecka. "The ethanol industry is committed to meeting the demands of millions of American consumers who want to choose cleaner-burning ethanol."

Ethanol production is increasing at a rate of more than one billion gallons per year. Production is expected to top five billion gallons in 2006 and will displace more than 50 million barrels of crude oil. All cars manufactured in the U.S. in the last 20 years are capable of running on E-10, a more commonly available blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.

About EPIC

The Ethanol Promotion & Information Council (EPIC) is an alliance of ethanol producers and industry leaders who have come together to spread the word about the benefits of ethanol through information and promotional programs. EPIC is a nonprofit organization and is overseen by a seven-member board of directors. For more information about EPIC, visit www.drivingethanol.org.