Vacation Powered by E85
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association) … We decided on visiting some national parks and monuments in Colorado and Utah. Naturally, this adventure had to be done in a Flex Fuel vehicle, and we chose our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee as our mode of transportation. The goal – to make the nearly 2,400-mile trip using only E85!
The first tank of E85 was purchased in Olathe, Kan., before we departed, and lasted just into Colorado. Our next fuel stop was in Burlington, Colo., at a unique location– a tire shop. There was a hard-to-miss dispenser donated by the Colorado Corn Growers Association and featured one of their producers on the end cap, explaining the benefits of using ethanol-blended fuel. The station, located just off the interstate, offered E10, E20, E40 and E85. If drivers were looking for E85 and using RFA’s locator at E85prices.com, they would find it with ease.
The next stop was not out of fuel necessity, but who could pass up checking out one of Kum & Go’s new E15/E85 stations in Colorado Springs, Colo.?
…
For those that have not experienced 85-octane gasoline in the Rocky Mountain Region, it also affects E15. Specifically, E15 (in the Rocky Mountain high altitude region–jivancic) is only 86 octane, and like 85 octane, it is typically not high enough to be approved by any engine manufacturer. There are also no warning labels on 85-octane, alerting consumers about this non-approved fuel, but there are on E15 and E85. Apparently AAA, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute see no issue with this? The move to a minimum octane standard is important, and will clearly cost the oil companies millions if they lose the opportunity to dump this low-octane fuel into the marketplace. They claim that it is only sold at high altitude, but it was available all throughout this part our trip.
…
I may have not accomplished my goal of using only E85, but I did drive nearly 2,400 miles on just 20 gallons of gasoline! I am proud that the rest of my required fuel came from our domestic ethanol industry. READ MORE
