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More Minnesotans are choosing homegrown ethanol

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Flex fuel

Cars and trucks line up to fill their tanks with E85 at a flex fuel promotion earlier this year.

More Minnesota flex-fuel drivers are choosing homegrown, cleaner-burning and less expensive E85 this year.

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, first quarter sales of E85 — a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline — are up 49 percent compared to the same period last year.

In all, 3.77 million gallons of E85 were sold from January through March. Second quarter numbers should be released in early July.

The average price for a gallon of E85 in the first quarter was $2.69, 65 cents less than regular unleaded.

As of now, E15 — a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline — is only sold at seven stations in Minnesota, but it’s also catching on. Since E15 was introduced in October of 2013, nearly 80,000 gallons had been sold through April.

Look for more Minnesota fueling stations to begin dispensing E15, which can be used in vehicles made in 2001 or after, shortly.

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