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Ford goes back to its roots with ethanol Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Agri News staff writer
ST. PAUL -- Ford is returning to its origins with its interest in ethanol.
In 1907, ethanol was the primary fuel for Ford vehicles because it was the most widely available fuel, said Ron Westby, director of public policy for Ford Motor Company, speaking at last week's Agri-Growth Council annual meeting.
Ford switched to gasoline after the Volstad Act outlawed alcohol in 1918, Westby said, because then gasoline was more readily available.
Almost a century later, everyone is talking about ethanol. Ethanol has become the alternative fuel of choice and there's been a rapid increase in interest in E85, a blend of 70 percent to 85 percent ethanol and gasoline.
Ford has invested in advertising for ethanol-fueled vehicles, characterizing ethanol as American innovation. The company has flexible fuel vehicles and is also active in the development or sales of several other alternative fuel vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hybrid and electric combination vehicles.
Ford has put 2 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road in the last decade and the Big Three automakers combined have put 6 million on the market, Westby said.
Converting from gasoline to flexible fuel isn't free, he said. An additional $150 to $200 is spent on parts in each vehicle. Fuel tanks are different, injectors are unique and calibration is special.
Westby said E85 is here to stay, but it has several obstacles to overcome.
First, it's availability is limited. The fuel is Midwest-centered, with 1,000 of the nation's 167,000 stations offering E85. Minnesota leads the nation in the number of E85 pumps.
Ford is involved in an effort to develop an ethanol corridor from Chicago to Kansas City and St. Louis. The effort would make E85 accessible along the entire route.
In order for E85 to advance, the industry, government and consumers need to work together, Westby said.
Automakers need to increase the availability and choice of models that use E85. The oil industry needs to invest in the development and marketing of E85, which it has been reluctant to do, he said.
The government must establish goals for E85, drive public education, provide incentives for E85 fueling infrastructure and support cellulosic ethanol research.
Consumers need to educate themselves about E85 and consider new choices in vehicles.
Consumers consider many things when buying a car, Westby said, and fuel type typically doesn't top the list.
Ford Motor Company is promoting E85 for its energy security potential and its stand-alone capabilities, he said. If all the E85 vehicles in Minnesota ran on E85, Westby said, it would reduce the state's gasoline consumption by 100 million gallons annually. |
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