Minnesota Researches E85 Conversion Kits

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http://www.earthtoys.com/news.php?section=view&id=1843

In order to meet the 20 percent standard, the state plans to increase the use of E85, a fuel containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Part of the state’s plan to increase ethanol usage is to make E85 conversion kits available to the general public.

Until recently, only vehicles designated by the manufacturer as “flexible-fuel” could use E85. However, a Brazilian technology called FlexTek now allows E85 to be used as a fuel in most modern fuel injected engines. FlexTek is US patent-pending, and owned by XcelPlus Global Holdings, Inc. (Pink Sheets: XPGH) . Minnesota State University, Mankato Center for Automotive Research (MnCAR) will be conducting research on FlexTek conversion kits.

In a formal letter requesting the EPA to allow Minnesota to be a test state for E85 fuel conversion kits, Governor Pawlenty noted that FlexTek was developed in Brazil and is currently used by more 50,000 vehicles there. Brian McClung, director of communications for the Governor’s office stated “Certainly, using E85 conversion kits would be a great tool to help us meet that (20% E85) goal.”

In an October 2006 article in Ethanol Producer Magazine (http://www.ethanolproducer.com), McClung said that expanding E85 use and stations in Minnesota has been challenging because both car companies and oil companies currently require greater demand by consumers before they are willing to make E85 more available. “ The governor has proposed testing the E85 conversion kits as a way to break through the chicken and egg dilemma,” McClung said, noting that Brazil was able to transition to greater ethanol use by using conversion kits.

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