NORTH MIAMI, Fla. -- South Florida now has its first E15 fueling site with a grand opening this week in Miami.
Caraf Oil, a family-owned and operated retailer with 10 gas stations in the Miami area, debuted the 15% ethanol blend a site in North Miami at a recent kickoff event. Customers could buy E15 at a discounted price of 15 cents per gallon (CPG) less than regular gasoline, or E85 for 85 CPG less than regular gas.
"We wanted to be the first in South Florida to offer E15, since we have had success with customers with E85," said Edwin Flores, owner of Caraf Oil, North Miami, Fla., which also sells E85 at one additional location.
"For drivers, it's seamless," Flores said, noting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved E15 for use in model vehicle years 2001 or newer.
E15 is controversial, however, and the debate continues. Many fuel and automotive industry experts believe E15 still has the potential to damage engines, especially because consumers might confuse it with other fuels.
E85, an 85% ethanol blend, can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles.
Protec Fuel, Boca Raton, Fla., oversaw the installation of E15 and E85 for Caraf Oil, and supplies the fuels.
"We are excited to help introduce American-made ethanol into the fuel pool through E15 in our home state and city," said Todd Garner, CEO of Protec. "With its higher performance at 88-octane and environmental benefits, it just makes sense."
Speakers at the Caraf Oil special event included Key Biscayne mayor Frank Caplan and Christine Heshmati, coordinator for Southeast Florida Clean Cities.
"Clean Cities is all about reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil and we're proud that our region is one of the first in Florida to offer E15," said Heshmati.
"Today, we welcome E15 in our community," said Caplan. "This is important because it expands choice, especially a great choice for an efficient, very cost-competitive, clean-burning fuel, one that can serve some three-fourths of the vehicles on the road. It's important because a local business, Protec, is investing in this community."
In December, Protec partnered with Mid-State Energy to install the first two E15 fueling sites in Florida, located in Fort Meyers and Sarasota. It is working to help open 28 E15 stations in the South and Southeast by mid-2015.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.