The ethanol option: More using E85 mix, which is cheaper than pure gasoline

Southeast Missourian
Sunday, June 22, 2008
By Brian Blackwell

At $2.94 per gallon, Patricia Ann Smith pumped the E85 blend of gasoline and ethanol into her 2001 white Ford Ranger on Wednesday.

"It's been a great money-saver for me," Smith said as she kept an eye on the amount of fuel she was putting into her vehicle at the Rhodes 101 convenience store at South Sprigg Street and Highway 74 in Cape Girardeau. "Instead of using that money on gas, I can spend it on more things I need, like food. So far, I've been pleased with the results since I began using it earlier this year."

The combination of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline is gaining more users since it was introduced in the last few years. Ethanol is an alcohol-based renewable fuel with the aim of increasing octane and improving the emission quality of gasoline. The fuel is made from agricultural products, generally corn.

When MFA Oil Co. in Perryville, Mo., began offering E85 18 months ago, it sold 100 gallons per week. Now it sells 1,000 to 1,500 gallons weekly.

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