The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

The Greening of the Private Sector

Shakopee-Based Fremont Industries Invests In Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet

SHAKOPEE, Minn., July 22 -- Signaling a shift in the market for alternative fuel vehicles, Fremont Industries of Shakopee, Minn. has announced purchase of 30 new vehicles that can use E85, an alternative to gasoline that consists of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. The company is scheduling a media event at 11 a.m. on July 28 at its headquarters at 4400 Industrial Blvd. N., Shakopee as the new E85-ready vehicles are delivered from Metropolitan Ford in Eden Prairie, Minn.

More than 4 million E85-capable flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) have been registered across the United States. FFVs can fuel on any fuel mix of gasoline and/or E85; however, most FFV owners don't even realize what they drive or that they may fuel with E85 instead of gasoline.

While many government fleets now order E85 FFVs, few private companies have purposely invested in approximately 30 models of cars, vans and trucks that can use the cleaner-burning, renewable-based E85 fuel. Some fleets automatically receive FFVs when ordering vehicles because it happens to be the only fuel system available in some model lines, but they don't know what they have and they don't fuel them with E85. However, as the price of gasoline has skyrocketed, the lower priced, high-octane E85 has become a much more popular choice at the more than 150 stations in Minnesota selling the fuel.

"E85 isn't just about being less expensive than gasoline, it helps reduce key tailpipe pollutants and E85 is produced from renewable resources," said Tim Gerlach, director of outdoor air programs for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. "We commend Fremont Industries for actively seeking out E85 vehicles instead of gasoline-only models. As more customers ask for E85 vehicles, we hope the auto industry will respond with more FFV models.

The American Lung Association of Minnesota has long been a strong supporter of E85 and other cleaner-burning fuels, and is helping neighboring states establish their own E85 infrastructures. Freemont Industries specializes in water management chemicals and equipment and has been an active player in the fast-growing ethanol fuel industry for more than 20 years. For more information about Fremont Industries access http://www.fremontind.com/ . For more about E85 and the vehicles that can use the alternative fuel, visit: http://www.cleanairchoice.org/ . The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition website is http://www.e85fuel.com/ .