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Jul 7, 2006 11:25 pm US/Mountain
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Alternative Fuel More Popular As Gas Prices Rise
by Raj Chohan
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Some Coloradans are turning to vehicles that run on alternative fuels due to the increasing gas prices.
E-85 is an alternative to fuel and fast becoming popular with consumers wanting to save money. It's an ethanol-based fuel that burns a lot cleaner and is cheaper than gas.
John Deusenberry noticed a difference in his wallet when he bought a truck that could run on either regular unleaded or E-85.
"When I bought it I didn't even really realize it would do this," Deusenberry said.
He pays about $1 less a gallon than his unleaded counterparts because he fills up with E-85, a mixture of fuel, ethanol and made, in part, out of corn.
"Well, I feel this basically comes from our country, the farmers and stuff," Deusenberry said.
At a Ford dealership in Lakewood, more and more customers were looking into E-85 friendly vehicles.
"Gas savings, its better on the pocket book," said Gordon Lambert, sales manager of Lakewood Fordland. "As these start to blend into what stock we have, its no problem to sell whatsoever."
Vehicles that run on E-85 are still not the biggest sellers. Ford sells a lot more Mustangs and regular fuel trucks than anything else and some E-85 customers say it doesn't get the gas mileage that unleaded regular gets.
"You end up having to fuel up a little more often, a little more frequently than you would with regular unleaded fuel," said Chad McConathy, a driver who uses E-85. "But I see that you still end up saving a little more money and its better for the environment."
To use E-85, drivers need a vehicle that's compatible and need to find a place that carries it. Chevy, Ford, Chrysler and Mazda make at least one flexi-fuel car that can run on E-85. Some makers also offer several model choices.
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