First ethanol pump in eastern LA County opens in Pomona

POMONA - The space at a the gas pump just got more crowded.Diesel and unleaded gasoline nozzles at Foothill Chevron have made room for a cleaner-burning relative - the E85.

For the first time in eastern Los Angeles County, ethanol is offered alternative fuel or E85. Wednesday's ribbon cutting featured the Feel Good Fueling Up promotion where E85 was priced at 85 cents a gallon from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Let's go green," said station owner Alfian Wiranatha of Chino Hills.

The Renewable Fuels Association notes ethanol-enriched fuel reduces emissions and greenhouse gases.

"Standard gasoline is made up of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent oil," said Mike Lewis of Pearson Fuels, the distributor. "The E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 oil. It's renewable, it's cleaner and it's domestic."

The $30,000 installation cost was covered by Calstart, a non-profit organization through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Primary users of E85 are flex-fuel vehicles, designed to run on gasoline or E85. Popular models include Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, Chevrolet HHR and GMC Yukon. The telltale sign if the vehicle is compatible is a yellow gas cap or an exterior "FFV" badge.

There are more than 400,000 flex-fuel vehicles in California though the Pomona location is just the 14th in the state. Pearson hopes to open 40 more in next few years, Lewis said.

source: dailybulletin