FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Monte, 515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2010

Celebrate Earth Day with Bargain E85 Prices

IRFA Partners with Des Moines Area Auto Dealers to Promote E85

JOHNSTON, IA – Earth Day on April 22nd is an excellent time to buy E85 if you own a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV). You can drive further for less money – all while helping the environment.  E85 is made of 85% Iowa-produced ethanol and only 15% gasoline from petroleum.

In the Des Moines metro area, E85 is typically selling for only $1.869 per gallon, while E0, the non-ethanol blend, is typically selling for $2.789.  Factoring in typical fuel economy variations, an FFV owner would pay only 11 cents per mile using E85 compared to 14 cents per mile using E0 gasoline.* 

“Now is a perfect time to give E85 a try if you drive a flex-fuel vehicle,” said Lucy Norton, Managing Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).  “The E85 price discount to E0 gasoline is over 90 cents per gallon. FFV owners can continue their green driving habits beyond Earth Day by making E85 their fuel of choice.” 

E85 is an environmentally-friendly, renewable fuel made primarily from ethanol produced at 39 ethanol plants in Iowa.  Ethanol reduces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions, supports more than 70,000 jobs throughout the Iowa economy and boosts state tax revenues by $532 million.  In addition, the use of ethanol reduces dependence on foreign oil imports and keeps more dollars at home instead of supporting unstable nations. 

To alert FFV owners to this exceptional deal, the IRFA is teaming up with Des Moines area auto dealers.  A special E85 promotion has been created to inform motorists of the value of E85 and where they can find E85 in the greater Des Moines area.  Dealers participating already include:

• Stew Hansen Auto Group
• Charles Gabus Ford
• Dewey Ford

Additional auto dealers wishing to participate in this limited promotion are encouraged to contact Lucy Norton at the IRFA office, ph: 515-252-6249.

For a list of Iowa E85 stations, visit the IRFA website at www.IowaRFA.org.

*  Explanation of cost per mile calculations

Calculations were based on today’s prices:  E0 @ $2.789 and E85 @ $1.869.

Fuel economy was assumed to be an industry average of 20 miles per gallon when operated on E0.  Mileage for the FFV was assumed to drop 15% when operating on E85.  Based on today’s FFV technology, IRFA finds 15% to be the typical mileage loss for using E85.

E0:  $2.789 per gallon divided by 20 mpg = 14 cents per mile

E85 with 15% mileage loss:  $1.869 per gallon divided by 17 mpg = 11 cents per mile

E85 with 20% mileage loss:  $1.869 per gallon divided by 16 mpg = 12 cents per mile

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s ethanol and biodiesel producers.  The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

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For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at:  www.IowaRFA.org.