Following his letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator last week, Governor Pawlenty today announced that the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) at Minnesota State University, Mankato has agreed to conduct research on E-85 conversion kits.

Such kits are currently not certified for use and Governor Pawlenty has encouraged the EPA to allow the kits to be tested and eventually allowed for use in existing vehicles. Discussions with the EPA are ongoing. Governor Pawlenty announced today that research will begin at Minnesota State University, Mankato in an effort to bring further data to the discussion and continue Minnesota’s leadership in the use of renewable fuels.

Governor Pawlenty asked CAR to conduct research that will test the effectiveness and feasibility of kits that allow regularly designed gasoline powered vehicles to run on a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, known as E-85. Currently, only specifically built Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) can use E-85. Dr. Bruce Jones, director of CAR, appeared at a news conference with the Governor to jointly announce the testing program.

“More vehicles using more ethanol will reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Governor Pawlenty said. “E-85 conversion kits may be another way to expand our use of renewable fuels in Minnesota. The research conducted by Minnesota State University, Mankato will be important in determining the viability of this flex-fuel technology for Minnesota drivers looking for a homegrown alternative at the pump.”

“Governor Pawlenty is a committed leader on alternative fuels and I applaud his efforts in responding to the President’s call to reduce America’s dependency on foreign oil,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Through the work of partners like Minnesota State University - Mankato, President Bush and EPA are moving alternative energy breakthroughs like E-85 from the labs to the streets.”

In his letter to the EPA administrator, Governor Pawlenty asked the agency to consider Minnesota as testing site for E-85 fuel conversion kits. E-85 conversion kits are commonly used in Brazil, where most vehicles use ethanol blends. Prompted by the increase in oil prices in the 1970s, Brazil introduced a program to produce ethanol for use in cars. About 15% of Brazilian vehicles use a blend of gasoline that contains nearly 100% ethanol. The remaining vehicles use blends of 24% ethanol with 76% gasoline.

“Minnesota became a test market in 1998 for the development of a retail E-85 refueling network. Today, we lead the nation with 260 retail E-85 stations,” Governor Pawlenty said in his letter. “However, the comparatively small number of new flex-fuel-capable car models and the current level of market penetration of those vehicles are hindering further infrastructure development and E-85 fuel usage.”

Governor Pawlenty also discussed his support for legislation that would make it easier for gas stations to sell E-85 by eliminating exclusive contracts with oil companies. Under the Governor’s proposal, gas stations would be able to sell E-85 even if the contract with the oil company says it must only sell products produced by that company. The proposed legislation for the 2007 session would exempt renewable fuels from provisions in contracts that mandate that only products made by that oil company be offered for sale.

Minnesota is the nation's leader in the use of renewable fuels with highest renewable fuel use per capita in the nation. The state was the first to implement an ethanol standard. Since 1997, Minnesota law has required all gasoline sold within the state to include 10% ethanol (E-10). Last year, Governor Pawlenty proposed and signed into law legislation that will move the state to a 20% ethanol standard by 2013.

Minnesota has North America's largest network of E-85 gas stations with approximately 260 stations now operating. Roughly 140,000 Minnesotans now drive Flexible Fuel Vehicles designed to burn either gasoline or E-85.

Minnesota is home to 16 ethanol plants that produce more than 400 million gallons of ethanol each year.

In September 2004, Governor Pawlenty signed an executive order to have state government reduce its on-road fleet’s use of gasoline 25% by 2010, and 50% by 2015; and petroleum-based diesel fuel 10% by 2010 and 25% by 2015. The action will reduce overall gas consumption by 950,000 gallons.

The Minnesota Center for Automotive Research focuses on student and faculty research dealing with government agencies and industries that are developing alternative fuels, including ethanol. The center also works with manufacturers such as General Motors that are interested in addressing fuel economy and emissions issues.