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Ethanol

Partnering for E85 Success

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Working with others makes E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) infrastructure projects more successful and helps conserve resources. The following are tips for successful partnering.

  • Talk to several people who have had experience with E85. Visit the E85 Success Stories/Case Studies page and contact the fleet managers who participated in these projects.

  • Contact and work with the closest Clean Cities coalition. Also contact the Renewable Fuels Association and/or the state energy office. These organizations can assist with E85 industry contacts, E85 suppliers, funding sources, partnership opportunities, public relations events, driver education materials, and dispenser labeling materials.

  • Identify a dependable fuel supplier and a certified contractor that is familiar with E85. Although ethanol fuels are in wide use today, many old misconceptions remain. Shopping around for the right contractor is time well spent and likely will save money and prevent problems in the long term.

Seek potential partners to share the expense of installing an E85 fueling station. A nearby fleet might be interested in evaluating E85 fueling possibilities. Contact other businesses to determine their interest level. Installing a centrally located station, or a station at another fleet site, might be the key to a successful partnership at a fraction of the cost of developing a station alone. Routes, fleet locations, and fueling requirements might limit the possibility of sharing fueling resources, but it is still valuable to research the possibilities.