Green Car Journal: National Strategy Required to Mainstream E85 Ethanol

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA Jan 22, 2007; Today, with 30 new car, truck, van, and SUV models offering the ability to run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol fuel, there's a pressing question on the minds of many: Why aren't more people driving on this domestically produced alternative fuel?

"There's a disconnect that goes beyond the obvious," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. "Even as several automakers are actively promoting their E85 flexible-fuel vehicles, others don't advertise them at all. In fact, many drivers aren't even aware that their car can run on E85 fuel."

Even if they were, that's no guarantee their vehicles would ever see a drop of E85 since few ethanol fueling opportunities are available. Considering there are only about 1,000 E85 ethanol stations in the country compared to 175,000 gasoline stations, it's easy to understand the enormity of this problem.

"There have been promising changes in recent years," adds Cogan, "with more commitment on the part of auto manufacturers, fuel providers, and state and federal government to establish E85 ethanol as a competitive fuel. Still, there's much more to be done. If we're serious about reducing our oil dependence and making renewable ethanol a part of the answer, then strong leadership and a solid national strategy are needed."

Green Car Journal's Winter 2006/2007 issue offers a special buyers' guide to E85 vehicles with descriptions, specifications, and photos of all 30 E85 ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles now sold in North America. Automotive brands included are Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Nissan, Pontiac, and Saturn.

This issue also showcases Green Car Journal's 2007 Green Car of the Year -- the Toyota Camry Hybrid -- along with the latest advanced concepts including the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and clean diesel VW Tiguan. Plus, editors share behind-the-wheel experiences in the Chevrolet Sequel and Honda FCX Concept fuel cell vehicles, BMW Hydrogen 7, and Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC.

Green Car Journal has earned 13 International Automotive Media Awards and was recently honored with a prestigious Eddie award for editorial excellence by Folio: Magazine. Many articles can be found on the magazine's companion website, Green Car Journal Online, at www.greencar.com, where magazine subscriptions and back issues may also be ordered.