Southeast terminals open doors to E85 biofuel

September 9, 2010

The availability of E85 fuel looks set to expand outside core regions around the ethanol-producing Midwest, thanks to fuel distribution company TransMontaigne, Inc.

The company has said seven of its busiest refined petroleum terminals are to make the fuel, comprising 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, available.

This should lead to a wider availability of the fuel for Flex Fuel vehicles in states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

The terminal operator said in a statement yesterday: “Until recently, E85 has been available mostly in Midwestern states that are closer to ethanol manufacturing sites. Owners of Flex-Fuel vehicles have been vocal that this environmentally friendly fuel has not been available on a widespread basis.

“TransMontaigne’s move into E85 product supply will quickly help change that, as many more retail chains will now have a reliable local wholesale supply for this fuel from Florida through the Mid-Atlantic states,” said TransMontaigne.

Terminals set to offer E85 will initially include Port Everglades and Tampa in Florida, Bainbridge and Doraville in Georgia, Greensboro and Selma in North Carolina and Norfolk, Virginia.

TransMontaigne said it had invested in rail and marine infrastructure to allow E85 in the terminals.

Flex Fuel Vehicles can run on any proportion of ethanol and gasoline up to 85% ethanol.

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Kenz300
We need to expand the availability of E85 fuels. Our economic security and national security may depend on our ability to provide local energy sources. If PEAK OIL advocates are correct and demand from China and India soon exceed the worlds ability to supply oil the price will increase for everyone. The last time oil went to $147/barrel people were parking their trucks and SUV’s and were tripping over each other looking for fuel efficient vehicles.
We need local jobs producing local energy. Wind, solar, geothermal and biofuels all need to ramp up production and produce jobs