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WHITBY PUEE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29,1988# PAGE 27 Ethano 1-Plusshows better than expected resuits From CO- OP CORNEBSTONE UCO'S six-nionth test marketing of Ethanol - Plus is showing better resuits than expected. Availability of the new gasoline--which 18 unleaded gas containing a mixture of ethanol and methanol --bas increased sales at the gas bars which carry it. , The co-op was interested in testing the market for this product for several reasons. one, any new product that will increase sales in a statie industr y is well worth looking at. And a, market for ethanoil helps co-op merubers because their corn is used to produce the alcohol. In addition, ethanol-blended fuel is better for the environment because as it bumns, it gives off' less carbon monoxide. "We knew there would be a lot of support for the product," said Glen Perschbacher, vice-president, petroleum. "That was the reason we got involved. But there's been even more support than we anticipated. "There bas been a lot of work on drivabilitýy and quality," said Perschbacher, 'but no one had really ever asked consumers if they wanted it." Apparently they do. At Listowel, one of the test sites, Ethanol-Plus was introduced on October 21 and the total sales of the gas bar increased over last year's sales by about 25 per cent in November, 21 per cent in December, and 37 per cent in Januaxy. Actual litres Of Ethanol-Plus solcl at iistowei over those three months were 70,100, 77,000 .and- 65,400 rspecéti;vely. About'60 té 70 per cent of those who have tried it continue to use it. The test period is also providing a chance to prove the quality of the product., Every batch of Ethanol-Plus is tested for confirmation with the stated technical specifications. So far the product is conforming te, the specs and is showing an increas e in octane --which is what gives its increased effIciency over conventional no-lead gasoline. There have been fewer customer complaints than anticipated. While there are usually some problems with new products, Ethanol-Plus is proving remarkably easy te, use. In the next phase of testing, Ethanol-Plus will be available for delivery to on-farm storage tanks. "We want te t->-. --bur ability to handile that, k.s well as the market response," says Perschbacher. That program will start in the sxringr. Other work includes trying to increase the potential distribution of the product by attracting additional marketers. If more outlets carry' ethanol-blended gasoline there could be a more continuous supply of the product and there will be a larger nmarket for grain growers. 1UCO plans to continue to Dush governments for product specifications and incentives. With a 'primary objective of ensuring that ethanol is -considered as an octane replacement for lead, (which 4 would also develop new markets for Co-op. members' grains, UCO is prepared to share information and assist groups interested in establishing production facilities. " lIf we saw the right economics, we may even be interested in a joint venture,te said Perschbaeher. Ethanol is made from grain and can be produced using lower quality crops. -The. blended unleaded gasoline 'contains a maimum of three per cent ethanol, and five per cent methanol. If ail cars used ethanol-blended gas, most of Ontario's current and future grain surplus production would be used ' wthout depleting food reserves. ri-Lq: % DEALER DESCRIPTION A. EWING '73 Cougar, V 6, p.b., p.s., air conditioning_ AUTOMBILE '73 BMW, Bavarian INC..> -m 200 Dundas St. W. '85 PONY ln Whltby 427-3482 '83 Reliant K, p.s., p.b. ______ Thickson-Dundas '78 31 foot, Airstream Trailor $18,900.00 Service Centre '80 Toyota Celica CT $3,295.00 1415 Dundas St. E. Whitby '80 OIds Cutlass $3,695.00 TEL: SALES 430-1513 SERVICE 430-1503 '83 Malibu Wagon $6,2 95.00 '85 Citation, 4 dr, 4 cyl., auto, pspb low km $4,495.00 Latke Ridlge'84 Pont. Grand Prix, 6 cyl., auto, air cond. $6,495.00 t4otors '78 Pontiac Sunbird, 6 cyl. auto, ps, pb, $1e995.00 1795 Victoria St. '80 Cutlass ____$2t495.00 Whitby, Ont. '83 Marquis« çaX5 $2,495.00 430-0909 '79 Pon.rtiac $2,4950 D)ONNAN MOTORS 599 KINGSTNR.W. At the corner ot01y No. 2 & çhurch St. A4X82717 Ssales I-jours Mon. - Thurs. 9-9 PM FrL.- Sat. 9-6 PM service Hours 0-6P Mon. - Fr!. 730 C ~SUZUj SAMURAI Fromn $109295 PLUS FR1. & PDE.