E85Forum.com

mattfox82 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

I live near Indianapolis and am getting frustrated with the pricing of E85. Maybe this is common nationwide but there are huge pricing differences depending on who owns the station.

Meijer, a large store chain who has gas stations has the most E85 pumps around Indianapolis, all sides of town. The E85 there stays 20 cents below gas no matter what. When gas went up to 3.49 per gallon E85 was 3.29, way to much to be paying in my opinion.

I have contacted Meijer and had correspondence with their fuel purchaser, and he has informed me though I have not been able to support it, that ethanol trades higher than gasoline and they are taking a loss selling it to customers.

When Meijer opened their first pump here they were on the news with our governor and were bragging that they partnered with GM to make E85 available.

Then there is Gas America, the honest E85 retailer. Currently I can get regular unleaded for 2.89 or go to Gas America and get E85 for 2.29 per gallon. At this price it seems more in my benefit to use the fuel I want to use. I actually fill up my tank there and four 5 gallon tanks, since these stations, 3 that are not too terribly far from me are more out of my regular driving range.

Then there are several stations that sell it for the same exact price as the gas. Gas goes up, E85 goes to the same price.

Is this typical in other areas? Why is there such a large gap between pricing?

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

mattfox- your experience is common. Meijer needs to find a new supplier or is not being straight with you. If they are lifting their ethanol at oil racks that is likely the problem for them. If they had a correct supply agreement- they should be $2.259-$2.359 now and should not have gone over $2.699 when gas was high.

mattfox82 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Ok heres another followup, went past one station that I have complained to about their pricing repeatedly, it is near downtown Indianpaolis. Regular unleaded today 2.75, E85 2.75

The NEVC has been of no help they say just to call the stations and complain. I would figure the NEVC, since these are their members they would make recomendations on pricing and/or different suppliers.

How many of you would be willing to band together, if a large amount of us call these stations and complain maybe it would do more good, I'll call stations in your area all day.

Current pricing in Indy

2.29 Gas America they are not very convenient for me
2.59 Meijer
2.75 Citgo
2.79 Philips 66

jachristner · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 64 Location: Kokomo, IN

That happens in my area too. In my hometown, only one station has E85 and it hasn't been there very long. They don't change the E85 price as much as gasoline so it'll be cheaper one day and the same or slightly more expensive another as gas fluctuates.

The closest Meijer, which is 20 minutes away, keeps E85 30 cents below regular unleaded.

Then there are the stations here in town where I'm at college. The Meijer is 20 cents under, I believe, while the Family Express is 40 cents less.

Seems to be a crap-shoot.