AzMotorNews.com
"GM produces more than a third of the more than three million E85 flexible fuel vehicles on American roads. E85, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is currently made from domestically produced corn. Its price and performance are similar to that of regular gasoline, but ethanol is renewable, produces fewer emissions and helps reduce demand for imported oil. The market for E85 has increased 10-fold during the past five years, to about 10 million gallons a year."
http://www.stockworld.de/msg/570138.html
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Corp. along with the State of Illinois, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) and the Illinois Corn Growers Association today announced plans to promote greater use of corn-based ethanol fuel, E85, as an alternative to gasoline in Illinois. The announcement was made at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
E85, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is currently made from domestically produced corn. Its price and performance are similar to that of regular gasoline, but ethanol is renewable, produces fewer emissions and helps reduce demand for imported oil. The market for E85 has increased 10-fold during the past five years, to about 10 million gallons a year.
The public awareness effort is part of a two-year partnership with the nonprofit NEVC focused on increasing E85 use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can use either E85 or gasoline. The direct-mail program, called "I Fuel Good," will target owners of 2002 and 2003 model year GM flexible fuel vehicles by giving them a $40 debit card that can be used to purchase E85 fuel. Owners also will receive E85 informational literature, a list of E85 refueling stations in their area, a window sticker and a T-shirt. Additionally, participating GM dealers will receive assistance in educating customers about the benefits of using E85.
The six-state education campaign was launched last month in Janesville, Wis. Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota and Michigan also are participating in the education campaign.
"Growing the ethanol market produces jobs, improves our rural economy, increases farmers' net income, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and improves our environment," said Tim Kraft, Legislative Liaison for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "In particular, by encouraging the use of E85 and other flexible fuels, General Motors is partnering with us to further expand the market for Illinois corn. We look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead."
On June 11, 2003, Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed Senate Bill 46, which extended the Illinois sales tax exemption for ethanol-blended gasoline for 10 years. The legislation also eliminated the state sales tax on E85 fuel, which should reduce the price of E85 fuel between 10-14 cents below the price of regular gasoline. Illinois is the first state in the nation to provide this type of incentive for E85.
"By eliminating the state sales tax on E85 fuel we expect the market for this clean domestically produced renewable fuel to grow in Illinois," said Hans Detweiler, Deputy Director, Illinois Bureau of Energy and Recycling. "I commend General Motors in taking a big step through this marketing and promotional effort to educate their customers about the benefits of ethanol and E85 fuel and for providing an incentive for their customers who are near E85 stations to use the fuel. We look forward to working with General Motors to increase the use of ethanol and E85 fuel and reduce our dependence on petroleum based fuels."
Today, ethanol made from corn reduces the demand for imported oil by 98,000 barrels per day -- representing a $1.1-billion annual reduction in the U.S. trade deficit. In the future, producers will be able to make ethanol from biomass such as corn and wheat stalks and forestry waste.
"E85 is a clean-burning, domestically grown alternative transportation fuel that can be used in a growing number of vehicles being produced today," said Phil Lampert, executive director for the NEVC. "E85 advances domestic energy security, reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases, and provides jobs for Americans."
GM produces more than a third of the more than three million E85 flexible fuel vehicles on American roads. All 2002 and newer Chevrolet and GMC full- size SUVs equipped with the Vortec 5300 engine are E85-capable, including the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban; and the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. Specially equipped Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups also are available with E85 capability.
"E85 is only beginning to become more widely available, and we're pleased to be able to provide consumers with an incentive to try this alternative fuel and see the benefits for themselves," said Gary Herwick, director of transportation and alternative fuels policy. "We want to educate and encourage industry and consumers to use E85 in their GM flexible fuel vehicles whenever possible."
Illinois produces over 700 million gallons of ethanol annually, making it the largest ethanol producer in the nation. There is currently a new 40 million gallon plant under construction and at least 4 more being developed. More than 95 percent of the gasoline sold in the Chicago area contains 10 percent ethanol. Investment by the ethanol industry in Illinois exceeds $1 billion, generating 800 jobs in plant operations and 4,000 jobs in the industry-related service sector. Illinois ethanol production has significantly increased the value of every bushel of corn in Illinois. For more information on Illinois and E85 visit http://www.ilcorn.org/ .
The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is the nation's primary advocate dedicated to the use of 85 percent ethanol as a form of alternative transportation fuel. It is a coalition of corn growers, ethanol producers and auto manufacturers based in Jefferson City, Missouri. For more information, visit http://www.e85fuel.com/ .
General Motors Corp. [Kurs/Chart] , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs 341,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries. In 2002, GM sold more than 8.6 million cars and trucks, nearly 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's consumer web site at www.gm.com .
Quelle: General Motors Corp.
© PR Newswire
© 1998-2003 Stock-World Media AG
From Stock-World Media AG & PRNewswire on 8-12-03
---------------------------------------------------------------
**COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any
copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without
profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving
the included information for non-profit research and educational purposes
only.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml