More than 7 million vehicles on American roadways are capable of running on gasoline blended with between 10 percent and 85 percent ethanol, a renewable energy source development from corn and other vegetative materials.

Those seven million, however, represent only 3 percent of American vehicles, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. Officials in the business of promoting these energy efficient vehicles say the first step toward increasing these statistics is simple.

"Education is key," said Michelle Kautz, market development manager for Jefferson City, Mo.-based Growth Energy. The company recently merged with the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. "A lot of people don't even know they have an E85-compatible vehicle."

E85 is a blend of fuel consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ordinary unleaded fuel consists of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.

Even for residents of Southern Illinois who have a flexible-fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-infused fuel may have a hard time finding the product in the region.

Kautz's organization compiles a list of retailers selling E85 gasoline. Thirty-six locations are listed in the 618 area code selling the product, but most of those are in the Metro East region.

As time goes on and fuel alternatives become more essential, more automobile manufacturers and retailers will hopefully catch on to the product, Kautz said.

"We look to see that more and more vehicles can use this fuel," she said.

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

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