NCGA Applauds Legislation Ramping Up Production of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (11-15-05)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded legislation introduced by Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Thursday calling for all new gasoline-powered vehicles sold in the United States to be E85-compatible within 10 years.

“For too long, our country has been dependent on foreign oil, and now America’s drivers are paying the price at the pump,” said Harkin on his Web site. “This legislation will free our drivers from relying solely on oil-based gas and allow them the choice of using ethanol blends that could be saving families hundreds of dollars if cars were E85 compatible now.”

If enacted, the bill would increase the amount of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the road by 10 percent every year for 10 years. For example, within 18 months of the law being enacted, 10 percent of all new cars manufactured must be FFVs. Within two years of the law being enacted, 20 percent of all new cars must be FFVs. This increase would continue until all new cars manufactured within 10 years would be able to run on E85.

“The E85 infrastructure tax credit was included in the energy bill signed into law by President George W. Bush in August,” said Samantha Slater, NCGA director of public policy. “Now it’s time to move forward and focus on making all cars E85-compatible by a concrete date. NCGA appreciates Sens. Harkin, Lugar and Obama’s leadership on this issue.”

“FFVs will be the future platform for our American automakers to grow their market share,” said Bruce Noel, Ethanol Committee chair. “This bill takes a sensible and reasonable approach to moving toward a future of all cars as FFVs.”