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DaimlerChrylser has been one of the leading manufacturers of E85 vehicles. However, the automobile company decided not to offer their 3.3L Chrysler Voyager minivan, Dodge Caravan minivan and Chrysler Town and Country minivan as E85-compatible in their Model Year 2004 line. Consequently, many fleet managers and other E85 advocates were disappointed. The manufacturer has stated recently that they *WILL* begin their Model Year 2005 line with E85-compatible minivans. The new line is expected to roll out in January however; the flexible-fuel engine will not be a standard option. The clean-burning vehicles will incur a slight incremental cost. Although the NEVC is disappointed that all of DaimlerChrysler minivans will not be produced with E85 compatibility as standard equipment, we are pleased that DCX management have listened to their many customers that demanded the E85 minivan be produced.


How to Promote Your Local E85 Station

So you have a new E85 pump? People are flocking to use the clean-burning alternative fuel, right? Unfortunately, most likely not right away. An E85 pump, just as any new product, needs to be promoted and marketed. Below are a few ideas on making your new E85 pump successful. First, you must label your product in a way where customers will know it is an E85 pump and NOT a gasoline pump. Shown to the right, the pump contains signage labeling it as an E85 pump. To view all available E85 pump decals and signage, click here. The E85 station should also list the price of E85 as they do their other fuel blends. A Grand Opening event is also recommended to assist in announcing a new E85 pump. Promoting the product with an E85 for 85 Cents event during the Grand Opening is especially beneficial for a new location. Advertising in local arenas is an excellent way to spread the word about the event and the new product. Newspaper ads (click here to view a sample) explaining the who, what, when, and why of the event brings awareness to individuals not familiar with the product. Radio advertising is a second means to alert the public about the promotion. If your budget allows, a live radio remote during noon or drive home times, can increase public turnout. Television advertising, although sometimes quite costly, is another approach you may wish to partake. An almost essential way to ensure a successful promotion is to contact your local E85 automobile dealership and ask for their flexible-fuel vehicle sales list. This list can then be used to send mailings to E85 vehicle owners to alert them of the new E85 pump and promotional event. You will be surprised. Many E85 vehicle owners do not even know that they are driving a flexible-fuel vehicle! A sample postcard can be seen by clicking here. Be sure to have local dealerships display a vehicle at the promotion and request giveaways such as t-shirts, hats, keychains, pens and other items. Another idea is to place a banner at the station alerting passer-bys of the new fuel and promotion. A press conference is a great way to kick-off a Grand Opening. Invite state and local dignitaries, station investors, and fleet administrators to make brief presentations. Send a press release including the press conference agenda to local media a couple of days before the event. This is FREE advertising for the E85 site. A sample press release can be found by clicking here. Send the release a second time the morning of the event to ensure press coverage. Be sure to have individuals familiar with the E85 product available at the event to hand out press packets, E85 informational materials, E85 and FFV promotional items, and to ensure no misfueling. Remember, a complete listing of E85 vehicles and their corresponding E85 compatible vehicle identification numbers can be found on the NEVC website at http://www.e85fuel.com/. Good luck! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the NEVC office.

Comparing E85 to Gasoline