Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world's energy. (American Almanac) Last year, the city of 
Four area Pilot locations offered special pricing on Ethanol 85 (E85) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5, to introduce the addition of two new East Tennessee purchase locations for the environmentally friendly fuel.
“On Friday customers purchased E85 for 85 cents a gallon at four Pilot locations in East Tennessee,” said Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Travel Centers. “We want to let our customers know that we are making clean-burning E85 fuel available in additional locations throughout Tennessee.”
E85 is available at the following area Pilot locations:
- 9550 Northshore Drive at Pellissippi Parkway
- 7210 Strawberry Plains Pike, off I-40 at exit 398
- 205 Walker Springs Road
- 2449 Genesis Road, off I-40 at exit 320 in Crossville
E85 contains 85 percent ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, which helps reduce air pollution, is biodegradable and does not pollute groundwater.
“In addition to being environmentally friendly, E85 is a renewable resource made from corn grown right here in the U.S.A.,” said Pilot Travel Centers director of supply and distribution David Dobbins. “It is one way we can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Pilot has added necessary infrastructure to dispense this environmentally friendly fuel at an additional three Pilot locations in Tennessee in partnership with the state’s Green Island Corridor initiative, which aims to make E85 and biodiesel easily accessible throughout Tennessee.
Pilot now offers E85 at five locations statewide. The fuel has been available at the 205 Walker Springs Road and 9550 Northshore Drive locations since 2007. Pilot has added new pumps at the Strawberry Plains Pike and Crossville locations in East Tennessee and at I-40 exit 172 in Dickson, Tenn.
“With more and more FlexFuel-compatible vehicles on the road, we want to make using this clean-burning option convenient,” said Haslam. “We are committed to our customers, our community and our environment. Providing E85 meets a strong consumer demand and helps the environment – a win-win for all involved. We plan to continue installing E85 pumps as it is feasible.”
E85 is safe for any car bearing the FlexFuel emblem, and most vehicles indicate that option with a bright yellow gas cap. Many GM, Chrysler and Ford models are E85-compatible, as are certain models from other manufacturers.
“Many people own cars that can use E85 and are not even aware of it,” said Dobbins. “A large percentage of the new cars manufactured are now able to use this clean-burning fuel.”
