Come get your fill of Flex Fuel E85 and Biodiesel B20 at Propel’s new Clean Fuel Point in Sacramento @ Mak’s Valero station, 1101 Broadway. During the Grand Opening event, try $10 of Flex Fuel E85 or Biodiesel B20 for FREE!
The Grand Opening celebration goes from Tuesday, September 11 through Friday, September 14, 10am – 7pm. Hope to see you all there!
Posted in Biodiesel, Ethanol, Events, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, american fuel, American made, biodiesel driver, biofuel, biofuel feedstock, diesel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, flex fuel tahoe, ford diesel, ford ffv, global warming, Green Business, Jetta TDI, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer, Propel Fuels, renewable fuel, Volkswagen TDI
Propel Fuels' Redwood City, CA, Clean Fuel Point
Last week, Propel Fuels announced a multi-year agreement with Pacific Convenience & Fuels (PC&F) to co-locate Clean Fuel Points (renewable fuel stations) with PC&F gas stations and convenience stores throughout the Western U.S.
The largest deal of its kind, the new agreement will provide renewable fuel choice to America’s most underserved market. According to Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels:
“This first of its kind agreement allows us to quickly scale our business, opening the door to renewable fuel access across the Western U.S., America’s most underserved market for renewable fuels. And with U.S. automakers significantly increasing production of Flex Fuel and diesel vehicles, we will give customers true choice at the pump, making progress towards reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and lowering carbon emissions.”
Propel and PC&F have identified more than 80 potential locations for Clean Fuel Points throughout PC&F’s network of 300 stations in California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado, which operate under various brands including Chevron, 76, Conoco and Circle K. Propel’s partnership with PC&F will provide consumers and fleets across the Western states with greater access to renewable fuels and enable both companies to accelerate expansion plans.
To expand public access to renewable fuels, Propel is working in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission on station development programs such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Infrastructure Investment Initiative. As advanced biofuel production facilities break ground in California, Propel’s agreement with PC&F will provide the next phase of fueling locations crucial to meeting the goals of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Learn more about Propel Fuels and PC&F online at www.propelfuels.com and www.pcandf.com, respectively.
Low price at the pump combined with limited MPG-loss combine for significant savings.
Huron County Sheriff’s Office began an experiment last March that had the department testing blends of Ethanol from E50 to E85. The goal: saving the county money through its fleet of 12 flex-fuel vehicles.
Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson found that as long as ethanol prices are less per gallon than the price at the pump for unleaded fuel, it would result in a significant cost savings. “As it turns out, our patrol fleet, which is mainly Chevrolet Impala cars, averaged between 1.5 miles to 2 miles less per gallon on E85 as opposed to unleaded,” said Hanson.
The Department also experimented with E50 and found that there was just about a one mile per gallon difference.
“When we basically went and took a pencil to it, it was determined that as long as pricing patterns remained the same, E85 would be the better choice,” he said. “Obviously, we are going to have to continuously monitor price differences in order for the county to benefit.”
If the price difference (with unleaded fuel costing significantly more) remains the same between E85 and unleaded, Hanson said the department stands to save nearly $1,000 per 25,000 miles.
“When you take into consideration our office puts on more than 400,000 patrol miles in a year, our county could benefit from the use of ethanol,” he said.
But access to the fuel can be an issue. Because Bad Axe and Harbor Beach do not have ethanol stations, Hanson said those patrols vehicles that start out of Bad Axe and Harbor Beach will frequently be forced to use unleaded fuel.
“Our deputies are being encouraged to purchase ethanol if they are in the vicinity of an ethanol station and their vehicle could use fuel,” said Hanson. “It would be pointless to specifically drive several miles in order to just buy ethanol.”
Posted in At the Pump, Driver Testimonials, Emissions, Energy Balance, Ethanol Research, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, News Links, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, biofuel, domestic fuel, E85 driver, ethanol, fleet, Flex Fuel, flex fuel impala, flex fuel patrol cars, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, police department, police ffv, propel
In response to customer interest in increasingly renewable fuels, Propel is proud to announce the arrival of B20 biodiesel in Northern California! Available of as June 1st at two of Propel’s Sacramento Clean Fuel Points, Propel’s B20 is blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petro-diesel that provides increased performance, longer engine life and reduced emissions, all at no additional cost.
Most exciting, Propel’s B20 is safe for use in all diesel engines – and no conversion is required.
What’s more, Propel’s B20 biodiesel:
"I can't wait to check it out!" said Propel customer Dave Parsons
Propel customer John Felts filling up his Mercedes CDI with B20
Follow in the footsteps of Propel’s inaugural B2o’ers (above) and try B20 for yourself at the following Northern CA locations, or visit Propel’s Station Locator for a full list of Clean Fuel Points and available fuel blends:
Roseville
999 Sunrise Ave (at Cirby Way at the 76 station)
Available Fuels: FlexFuel E85 | Biodiesel B20
Still looking for B5? Visit our Citrus Heights location
Sacramento – Folsom Blvd
8090 Folsom Blvd (at Power Inn Rd at the Shell station)
Available Fuels: FlexFuel E85 | Biodiesel B20
Still looking for B5? Visit our Florin Road location
Visit Propel Fuels to learn more about B20, and be sure to check out recent news coverage highlighting the Sacramento debut of Propel B20 from Domestic Fuel and the Sacramento Bee.
Propel Fuels' Redwood City Location
Residents and passersthrough of CA’s Bay Area Peninsula have a new choice in fueling with the Grand Opening of Propel Fuels’ newest renewable fuel location in Redwood City, CA.
Home to Propel’s corporate headquarters, Redwood City’s strong sense of community, central location between San Francisco and San Jose and growing population of alternative fuel vehicles makes it an ideal partner for Propel’s Bay Area expansion.
“As a country, we face a lot of pretty serious challenges. And most of us as individuals can’t really impact those big problems,” said Propel CEO Matt Horton. “One of the most important of those is our nation’s dependence on petroleum. All you have to do is look at the price of gasoline to see how big of an impact that has on our country and our economy. One of the challenges for consumers is that it’s not really their fault because we’ve never really had choices at the pump, people haven’t been able to put anything in their vehicles other than petroleum. With this grand opening, we’re very excited to show consumers there is something we can do today to start to decrease our dependence on petroleum.”
Representatives from San Mateo County and the City of Redwood City brought out their own alternative fuel vehicles, include a City of Redwood City Flex Fuel police cruiser, to help celebrate the station opening.
One of Redwood City's own Flex Fuel police cruisers pulls up for the Inaugural Fill
Propel CEO Matt Horton thanks Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira
“You can see as soon as you come into Redwood City that it’s something we strive for: to be very environmental, to be very green — and to have this station here is very, very exciting for us,” said Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira. “Propel is a dynamic leader, and we’re really looking forward to having more stations, and certainly having more stations here in Redwood City as well.”
Added Karen Schkolnick of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, “When you consider that over 40% of air pollution and 50% of green house gases in this region come from the transportation sector, you begin to understand the huge health and global climate benefits can be derived from alternative fuels.” She continued, “That is why it is great to be here with Propel for the launch of this station, and hopefully many more in the Bay Area.”
As with all its CA stations, Propel’s Redwood City location offers both Flex Fuel E85 (an ethanol-based fuel compatible with all “Flex Fuel” vehicles) and Biodiesel (compatibile with all diesel vehicles).
To see more coverage from Tuesday’s event, be sure to visit Domestic Fuel online and The San Francisco Business Times, or visit Propel Fuels to learn more about advantages, compatibility and availability of renewable fuels.
Posted in At the Pump, Biodiesel, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, News Links, Propel Biofuels, Retail locations
Tagged alternative fuel, BAAQMD, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Biodiesel, biofuel, City of Redwood City, County of San Mateo, domestic fuel, Domestic Fuels, E85, ethanol, Flex Fuel, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, Matt Horton, Mayor Jeff Ira, propel, Propel Fuels, Redwood City, Redwood City City Council, San Francisco Business Tmes, Valero Redwood City, Whipple and Veterans
Why do you believe in biodiesel? As this montage of video testimonials compiled by the National Biodiesel Board demonstrates, there are countless reasons to stand behind this renewable fuel. Biodiesel is clean. Sustainable. Green. American. It supports the domestic economy and creates green jobs. It’s the fuel the diesel engine was designed around. And according to biodiesel enthusiasts, the list goes on!
Do you believe in biodiesel? Let us know by sharing your comment, below — or, to learn more, including where you can find biodiesel near you, vist Propel Fuels or the National Biodiesel Board online.
Posted in At the Pump, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Production, Propel Biofuels, Retail locations
Tagged alternative fuel, american fuel, Biodiesel, biodiesel driver, biodiesel production, biofuel, diesel, Green Business, green jobs, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel Fuels, sustainable fuel, waste grease, waste grease biodiesel
Judith Canales, Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), stopped by Propel Fuels’ Oakland, California location to promote access to renewable fuel. Administrator Canales highlighted the beneficial economic and environmental impacts of American-produced biofuels.
Administrator Canales emphasized that a thriving domestic fuel industry will benefit the US economy. “The USDA is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America and we believe a strong renewable fuels industry, including convenient access to these fuels, is critical to this goal,” said Canales.
The USDA plans to increase access to domestically produced fuels by helping to fund the build out of 10,000 renewable fuel pumps across the country over the next five years. Retailers selected to receive USDA funds have yet to be determined.
“Propel shares the USDA’s vision for quickly increasing consumer access to renewable fuels in order to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, boost local economies, and reduce emissions,” said Jim Iacoponi, Vice President of Operations of Propel. “Through a partnership between private investment and public funds, Propel will continue to build the critical link between California’s drivers and the next generation of fuels.”
More on Administrator Canales’ visit to Propel:
Posted in At the Pump, Big Oil, Biodiesel, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, Retail locations
Tagged alternative fuel, Biodiesel, biofuel, biofuel feedstock, domestic fuel, E85, ethanol, Green Business, green jobs, Judith Canales, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel Fuels, renewable fuel, renewable fuel infrastructure, USDA
Clean, American ethanol is a part of our history! Click the images below to learn more.
Hot off the presses! The February issue of Ethanol Producer Magazine includes a spotlight article on Propel Fuels and the company’s mission to provide the retail infrastructure necessary to bring renewable fuels to the consumer, now and in the future.
In the article, author Kris Bevill details Propel’s unique business model – which includes fostering a symbiotic relationship where Propel leases space on which to build their Clean Fuel Points from existing fuel retailers – as well as the funding, support and partnerships that CEO Matt Horton says are so elemental to Propel’s current and future success.
“Rebuilding the nation’s fueling infrastructure takes time, but we need to understand as an industry that it’s more than just making a pump available,” Horton is quoted as saying. “We need to treat this issue holistically and make sure we’re addressing all the key drivers for success.”
Today, Propel offers biodiesel at its stations in WA State and both E85 and biodiesel at its stations in CA. Additional plans to expand locations and product offerings in accordance with market demand are in the works.
For more info, check out the full article from Ethanol Producer Magazine
or visit Propel Fuels.
EcoTREK is driving 10,000 miles crosscountry in an American-made Flex Fuel vehicle, powered with cellulosic ethanol provided by POET — all with the goal of increasing awareness of the economic, environmental and national security benefits of domestically grown biofuels.
Tom Holm, Executive Director and intrepid driver for EcoTREK, made Propel’s Oakland Clean Fuel Point the tour’s first destination. Propel CEO, Matt Horton welcomed Tom to the station and shared his enthusiasm for EcoTREK’s goal. “Today we got a preview of ultra-low carbon fuels from non-food sources, representing the next level of sustainability for fuels that can run in our vehicles today. Propel, EcoTREK and POET each represent critical pieces to reducing our dependence on petroleum; widespread consumer access, advanced vehicle technologies, and the next generation of renewable fuels.”
POET’s cellulosic ethanol is produced from corn cobs and light stover (leaves, husks, some stalk) at a pilot pant in Scotland, South Dakota. Work is underway at Project LIBERTY, POET’s planned 25 million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant, which will be built in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Read more about EcoTREK’s Propel visit.
Follow Tom’s journey on the EcoTREK blog.
EcoTREK in Oakland
Music: Quiet Life hailing from Portland, OR. Check out their music.
Posted in At the Pump, blog, Emissions, Ethanol Research, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, News Links, Next Generation Feedstock, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, biofuel, cellulosic ethanol, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, Flex Fuel, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, next generation, next generation fuel, propel, Propel customer, waste feedstock
The Renewable Fuels Association recently unveiled the Flex Fuel station locator app for the Android smartphone platform.
The app equips users with all the necessary tools to quickly find stations offering Flex Fuel in their area. The program provides directions, fuel pricing and contact information for each E85 location. While on the road, the app allows users to find the Flex Fuel outlet in closest proximity. Users can compile a list of frequently visited locations with the Favorites feature.
The Android application pulls from a database of over 2,400 Flex Fuel outlets developed by the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center and the U.S. Department of Energy. The app is free to download from the Android Marketplace. Or scan the bar code to deliver the application straight to your phone.
No software or hardware adjustment needed–the 2011 Ford F-150 5.0-liter V8 engine is ready to run on E85.
As posted on PickupTrucks.com, “the 5.0-L F150 is rated at 360 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 380 pounds-feet of torque (at 4,250 rpm) running on regular unleaded gasoline. But the 5.0 is also flex-fuel capable. Flexible-fuel vehicles are designed to run on gasoline or a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol (E85).
Burning E85 fuel boosts 5.0 engine power to 375 hp and 390 pounds-feet of torque, said Mike Harrison, Ford’s program manager for V-8 engines.”
Flex Fuel E85 has a 105 octane rating and a higher compression ratio than regular gasoline, making it a highly efficient fuel.
Read more from PickupTrucks.com.
Want to test it out for yourself? Try a tank of E85 from any Propel California location. For a map and list of stations, visit Propel’s Station Locator.
Posted in blog, Driver Testimonials, Emissions, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, F150 E85, Flex Fuel, flex fuel vehciles, Ford, Ford F150, ford ffv, fuel efficiency, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer
From Left: Director Joel A. Ayala Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Matt Horton, CEO, Propel Fuels. Steve Sokolsky, represents both East Bay Clean Cities and CALSTART. Commissioner Anthony Eggert, California Energy Commission
Posted in At the Pump, Biodiesel, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, News Links, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations
Tagged alternative fuel, Biodiesel, biodiesel driver, biofuel, diesel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, fleet, Flex Fuel, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer, Propel stations
Find, edit and update E85 retail locations–all from your iPhone.
The Renewable Fuels Association recently released a new iPhone App, E85 Fuelfinder–view in iTunes Preview–to help drivers locate E85 access nation-wide.
Users can add favorite stations, get driving directions, and view or update fuel prices. The application costs $1.99 and is available from the Apple App Store.
Read more from DomesticFuel.com.
“The definition of the World Green Car of the Year was expanded a bit today when the World Car of The Year organization named Volkswagen‘s BlueMotion product brand – including the Polo, Passat, and Golf models – as the 2010 World Green Car during the 2010 New York Auto Show. The 59-member jury’s statement declaring BlueMotion the winner took a swipe at hybrid technology when is said:
It is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency. Based on Volkswagen’s common-rail diesel engines, the BlueMotion models are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. In fact, the Passat BlueMotion can travel just about 1,000 miles on one tank of fuel in the European cycle. As far as internal combustion engines go today, these models are the ultimate you can get.
Even with these critical words, the organization did pick the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight as the Green Car of the Year runners-up. In other World COTY news, the VW Polo won the overall World Car of the Year title.”
Read more from Autoblog Green.
Find out where to fill up your diesel with cleaner burning biodiesel in California and Washington.
The Clean Air Choice Team, lead by the American Lung Association in North Dakota, encourages drivers to choose American-made fuel this Independence Day weekend.
E85 Flex Fuel is a new option at the pump for most drivers. The goal of the Clean Air Choice Team is to educate consumers about E85 fuel and its compatibility with flexible fuel vehicles.
Robert Moffitt, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association in North Dakota, said, “we calculate that if a single flex fuel vehicle is fueled with E85 instead of gasoline for a year, it prevents 4 tons of emissions from entering our air.”
The Clean Air Choice team has launch a North Dakota campaign encouraging drivers to fill tanks with E85 over the 4th of July weekend. Every trip to the pump is an opportunity to choose cleaner burning, domestically produced fuel.
Celebrate your freedom to choose what type of fuel to put in your car, truck or van. Find out if your vehicle can use Flex Fuel E85.
You’re on your summer road trip cross-country, tank gage edging toward empty, you need to find the nearest E85 pump asap — simple, use the TomTom GPS App to navigate toward the closest E85 location.
The application, released by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), maps out the location of E85 fueling outlets all across the country. Flex Fuel Vehicles drivers can download the app to TomTom or Garmin GPS devises at www.ChooseEthanol.com.
Upon announcing the new app, Robert White, RFA Director of Market Development said, “We are continuing to explore new ways to connect the consumer with ethanol-blended fuels. TomTom and Garmin represent 67% of all GPS devices sold in the United States, and with our cooperation with the Department of Energy on station locations, this will continue to yield great results.”
To see a map of E85 stations across the US, visit the US Department of Energy’s interactive map.
Monday morning, Senator Patty Murray (D – WA) & Propel hosted a press conference to discuss support for the Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit and its positive impacts on job growth, carbon emissions reduction and national security. Since the tax credit was left to expire in January, US biodiesel production has largely screeched to a halt. As a result, many producers including Imperium Renewables have looked to markets outside of the US to sell its fuel. The industry’s message was clear; renew the tax credit and our industry will immediately increase production, and create jobs.
The event was held at Propel Fuels Clean Fuel Point, the first renewable fuels station in downtown Seattle, Senator Murray was joined by the leaders of companies from up and down the biodiesel value chain (bioscience, refining, production and retail consumer access), who discussed the importance of the extension of the tax credit currently being debated in Congress.
Speakers included Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels, Todd Ellis, VP of Business Development for Imperium Renewables, Dr. Margaret McCormick, COO for Targeted Growth, and Cameron Hewes, President and CEO of General Biodiesel.
Posted in At the Pump, Big Oil, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Production, Biodiesel Quality, Biodiesel Research, blog, Climate Change, Cold Weather Biodiesel, Emissions, Feedstocks, Green Business, Green House Gases (GHG), Introduction, Media, Next Generation Feedstock, Nox, Particulates, Politics, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Propel customer, Essential Baking Company, is highlighted in the latest edition of the National Biodiesel Board’s monthly bulletin.
“The Web site for The Essential Baking Company in Seattle says it all: “We’re fussy. Fussy about taste, the texture of our bread, the flakiness of our pastry, the richness of our desserts, and preserving the time-honored techniques of baking. And don’t even get us started about the importance of the pureness of what we put into our bodies or our impact on the environment.”
That commitment to the environment is fulfilled in part by using 99 percent biodiesel . . .” Read more from the National Biodiesel board.
Posted in At the Pump, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Production, Biodiesel Quality, Biodiesel Research, blog, Driver Testimonials, Emissions, Green Business, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, Biodiesel, biodiesel driver, biofuel, diesel, domestic fuel, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer
Come celebrate Earth Day with Propel in Sacramento on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 9am – 2pm at Cesar Chavez Park at 10th and I Streets. Propel will be giving away FREE FUEL CARDS to lucky flex fuel and biodiesel drivers.
Enjoy free entertainment, interactive learning and celebrate the earth! For more information please call the Earth Day HOTLINE (916) 808-6525.
Find Propel Events on Facebook
Posted in Biodiesel, blog, Climate Change, Flex Fuel E85, Pricing, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged Biodiesel, earth day, Flex Fuel, Free Fuel, Propel Event, Sacramento
In January, American drivers displaced 784,000 barrels of foreign oil every day by using American-made ethanol fuel, the most renewable fuel ever used in America’s history. A big thanks to all Propel customers who contributed by choosing to fill their vehicles with renewable, homegrown Flex Fuel E85.
Together, we can change what we put in our tanks, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and support domestically-produced, cleaner burning fuel.
Read more from Domestic Fuel.
Posted in At the Pump, Driver Testimonials, Emissions, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations
Tagged alternative fuel, biofuel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, Flex Fuel, flex fuel tahoe, ford ffv, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer
Last Wednesday’s event brought drivers across Sacramento to Propel stations to fill with E85 Flex Fuel for $0.85/gallon. New and returning customers were happy to brave the morning’s stormy weather to fill their tanks with low-carbon, domestically produced E85.
Drivers across the region joined together to reduce approximately 30,000 lbs of CO2 and save over $10,000 at the pump–in just one day!
Propel team members enjoyed meeting new customers at the pumps on Wednesday, as well as catching up with many loyal Propel users. We appreciate all your comments and suggestions on ways to improve customer experience at the pumps.
See more pictures from the event on our Facebook page.
Posted in At the Pump, Driver Testimonials, Emissions, Flex Fuel, Flex Fuel E85, Green Business, Green House Gases (GHG), Pricing, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, biofuel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, Event, Flex Fuel, flex fuel tahoe, ford ffv, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer
On Wednesday, February 24th, Propel will offer E85 Ethanol for $.85/gallon at all Sacramento locations. The goal of the program, in partnership with CALSTART, is to help inform the 25,000 Flex Fuel drivers in Sacramento of the economic savings and environmental benefits of fueling with domestically produced, low carbon fuel. Join us at the pump on Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm!
Promotion Details
Where: All Propel Sacramento area locations – see map
When: Wednesday, February 24, 9 am – 6 pm
More Info: Email info@propelfuels.com or call 1.800.871.0773
Not sure if you have a Flex Fuel Vehicle?
E85 capable Flex Fuel vehicles can be identified by the manufacturer’s vehicle badge, yellow gas cap, or by checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) online. Find out if your vehicle is E85 compatible by checking online at www.propelfuels.com/driveE85.
Propel community members share their stories.
Elk Grove, CA – Elk Grove Clean Fuel Point - December 2009
We met Jennifer fueling her C230 Mercedes-Benz with Flex Fuel at the Elk Grove Clean Fuel Point. She has been filling with Propel ever since the service department at her vehicle dealership told her that her C230 was flex fuel capable.
Mercedes does not badge flex fuel models, making it difficult to figure out which vehicle are flex fuel capable.
Flex Fuel Capable Mercedes Models:
C230 Sedan 2.5L, model year 2007
C240 Luxury Sedan & Wagon 2.6L, model year 2005
C300 Luxury & Sport 3.0L, model years 2008 – 2009
C320 Sedan, Sport Sedan & Wagon 3.2L, model years 2003 – 2005
A study released by the University of Nebraska found that E85 delivers more efficiency over higher petroleum fuel blends, offsetting much of the loss in Miles Per Gallon (MPG) typically attributed to E85. The study illustrates that when calculating fuel MPG performance, both the energy density of the fuel (BTUs), and the energy efficiency must be accounted for.
The report tested light, medium and heavy vehicles showing E85 improved energy conversion by 13, 9 and 14 percent respectively when compared to higher petroleum blends. This increased efficiency translates into an MPG decrease of only 14 to 19 percent depending on vehicle size using E85, showing that energy density and efficiency of fuel both factor into overall MPG performance.
This difference in MPG is compensated by the lower price of E85 blends at the pump that are on average 20-30% less than regular unleaded. In fact, Propel E85 is nearly 60 cents cheaper than regular gasoline, making E85 the ecomomic choice.
Posted in At the Pump, Driver Testimonials, Energy Balance, Flex Fuel, Pricing, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, biofuel, cheap gas, cheap gas in CA, cheapest gas in CA, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, Flex Fuel, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer
Propel has teamed up with Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps to provide life and skills training for at-risk young men and women at Propel’s retail fueling locations.
“Our partnership with SRCC allows us to not only help young people develop important skills that will assist them the rest of their lives, but creates a skilled workforce for the growing renewable fuels industry.” said Rob Elam, Propel’s President and Co‐Founder. “We look forward to expanding this important program on a larger scale as our network of alternative fueling stations grows.”
Involvement in the program provides corps members training in critical skills such as job responsibility, timeliness and teamwork, while exposing them to the promising industry of renewable energy.
“The opportunities that Propel has provided for the young people in our program are invaluable and offer them a positive environment in which they can channel their energy,” said Andi Liebenbaum, Deputy Director of the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps. “The exposure our corpsmembers are receiving to the renewable fuels industry can only help them in a future job market.”
Read more about the SRCC and Propel partnership.
USPS Fills at Propel's Citrus Heights, CA location
The U.S. Postal Services was awarded the Environmental Achievement of the Year by Postal Technology International magazine. In addition to recycling and energy-efficiency efforts, the Postal Service recently announced plans to replace 6,500 vehicles with 1,000 E85 ethanol-capable and 900 gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles.
In the Sacramento region, the USPS is a loyal customer of Propel clean, American Flex Fuel and biodiesel.
Posted in At the Pump, Biodiesel, Flex Fuel, Green Business, News Links, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations, Vehicles
Tagged alternative fuel, Biodiesel, biodiesel driver, biofuel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, fleet, Flex Fuel, Green Business, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer, USPS
Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood touts the title of the greenest in the city with the most LEED buildings and is currently under evaluation for the LEED Neighborhood Development certification.
In the midst of this growth and construction, Propel’s flagship biodiesel station remains open at the busy intersection of Westlake Ave and Broad St.
Propel community members share their stories.
Rocklin, CA – Rocklin Clean Fuel Point – Thursday, September 3rd.
Martha has been filling her Ford Explorer with Flex Fuel for the last three months and loves it–especially the price, nearly 70 cents cheaper than regular gasoline.
Her husband noticed that they could use Flex Fuel E85 from a label posted on the inside of the gas tank door.
She lives in Penn Valley, CA, but works conveniently close to Propel’s Rocklin location–though she’d like to see a station in Grass Valley area sometime soon. She and her husband are big proponents of E85 and spread the word to friends and family.
Can your vehicle run Flex Fuel E85? Find out.
Propel has teamed up with students from Sacramento State for a summer internship program. Students are conducting short customer surveys at all Propel Sacramento locations– Monday, August 17th through Sunday, August 23rd.
Stop by any Propel Sacramento location, take our survey and register to win $300 of FREE fuel. And chat with our friendly interns, they’re doing a great job!
For a map of Propel California locations, visit our station locator.
Posted in At the Pump, Biodiesel, Driver Testimonials, Emissions, Flex Fuel, Propel Biofuels, Propel Customers, Retail locations
Tagged alternative fuel, Biodiesel, biodiesel driver, biofuel, customer survey, diesel, domestic fuel, E85, E85 driver, ethanol, Event, Flex Fuel, Free Fuel, internship, low-carbon fuel, propel, Propel customer
