 |
| The
Minnesota Corn Growers Association recently donated this E-85
GMC Yukon XL to the National Corn Growers Association. |
NCGA
Hits the Road with Ethanol Message (2-7-05)
The National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) is taking its positive ethanol message to the
streets, thanks to a generous donation from the Minnesota Corn Growers
Association (MCGA).
MCGA recently presented
NCGA with a 2005 flexible fuel GMC Yukon XL. The vehicle is one
of nearly 4 million in the United States that are equipped to run
on E-85, an environmentally friendly blend of 85 percent ethanol
and 15 percent gasoline.
“The new vehicle
gives NCGA staff members an excellent opportunity to promote E-85
and ethanol as they travel to meetings and events throughout the
Corn Belt,” said NCGA CEO Rick Tolman, adding the Yukon will
be on display at the NCGA trade show booth during Commodity Classic
Feb. 24-26 in Austin, Texas. “The vehicle has already raised
some eyebrows around the St. Louis area, and it’s sure to
get attention wherever it goes. NCGA sincerely appreciates this
donation from Minnesota.”
MCGA, which has used
more than a dozen flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) to promote E-85
and ethanol in Minnesota, said the vehicles are painted and detailed
to appeal to a wide variety of drivers. Like the Yukon donated to
NCGA, many of MCGA’s FFVs feature custom chrome wheels, elaborate
color schemes and lettering that promotes the use of ethanol.
“We decided many
years ago that we might as well be marketing while we’re moving,”
said MCGA CEO Bruce Stockman. “Every time I stop somewhere
in one of these vehicles, people want to talk about them. I’ve
even had people pull me over while I’m driving so they can
learn more about the vehicle and renewable energy. We’ve had
good success with the vehicles in Minnesota, and we thought sending
one to NCGA would be a good way to take the message to new places.”
As more FFVs hit the
highways each year, E-85 continues to grow in popularity. Mass commercial
production of these vehicles began in 1996 when Ford Motor Company
made FFVs available to consumers for the first time. Just nine years
later, seven automakers offer FFV technology in a number of models.
While NCGA is encouraged
by the growth in production and use of FFVs, Corn Board member Theresa
Schmalshof said much work remains to be done.
“We’ve made
significant inroads with the major automakers in the last few years.
With their help, we’re establishing a program for educating
the public on FFVs and E-85,” said Schmalshof, who also holds
a seat on the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) board of
directors.
Although more than 200
E-85 refueling locations already exist, Schmalshof said corn growers
are working hard to expand the availability of this homegrown fuel.
“There is a major need to expand the infrastructure for E-85,”
she said. “Along with other ethanol advocacy groups, we’re
ramping up our efforts to get more E-85 pumps set up. It’s
something that’s going to take patience, time and money, but
the payoff will be incredible. Ethanol is better for the environment
and helps decrease our dependence on foreign oil.”
For more information
on E-85 and FFVs, visit www.ncga.com
and http://www.e85fuel.com.