E-85 Now Available in the Valley!

Ethanol-based fuel has been available for months at several outlets in the Tucson area, but the Valley now has its first outlet.

Maricopa County has its first E85 fuel pump. The fuel is made from 85% ethanol (derived from corn) and 15% gasoline. Supporters are promoting it as an alternative to gasoline that burns cleaner – with virtually no emissions – and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.

E85 is also about 10% less efficient than gasoline in terms of the BTUs produced, so to keep it competitive with gasoline, the federal government offers subsidies that bring the price down to about 10% below the price of standard gasoline. As of Friday, the only dealer in the Valley – Western States Petroleum, located on 15th Ave. along the railroad tracks south of Jefferson St. – was selling E85 for $2.799 per gallon, as opposed to regular unleaded, which is generally selling in the $3.01-3.15 range.

Many newer vehicles, made in the past four or five years, can burn E85 fuel without any conversion. It's estimated that there are more than 150,000 vehicles in that category in Arizona.

Bob Kec, owner of Western States Petroleum, says his business is also a wholesaler that can supply traditional gas stations with the fuel if they're interested. Western States Petroleum was also the first business in the Valley to offer BioDiesel fuel, made from non-petroleum sources like used cooking oil.