Julie A. Oaks
TDOT, Public Information Officer
 Office: 615.741.2331
Mobile: 615.533.7105
Fax: 615.741.9093

TDOT Announces More Green Island Biofuel Pumps Now Online
Tennesseans Now Have Even More Choices at the Pump

Nashville, TN – Tennesseans now have even more choices when it comes to filling up.  Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that 40 retail stations are now offering some combination of biofuels in Tennessee.  Statewide there are now 22 retail locations offering E85 (ethanol) and 28 retail locations offering B20 (biodiesel). Many of the pumps were funded through the BioTENN Green Island Corridor grant program.

“By making biofuels more readily available, the BioTENN initiative is giving more Tennesseans a choice at the pump,” said Bredesen. “Increasing our use of biofuels helps reduce vehicle emissions, protect public health and reduce our dependence on petroleum.”

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely added, “About 90,000 Tennesseans own flex fuel vehicles and could begin using ethanol today, while B20 can be used in any diesel engine with little to no modification. This is a great time to consider trying biofuels.”

A list of Flex Fuel Vehicles capable of using E85 is attached and can be found on the National Ethanol Vehicles Coalition website (www.e85fuel.com).  According to the NEVC, there are currently a total of 31 FFV models are available from five auto manufacturers: Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Mercedes Benz.  A list of all biofuels stations in Tennessee is also attached and a biofuels station locator can be found on the BioTENN website (www.biotenn.com). 

The BioTENN initiative is a partnership among several state agencies to make cleaner, homegrown, renewable biofuels a real choice for citizens, businesses and travelers.

Ed Cole, Chief of TDOT’s Environment and Planning Bureau, described the goal of the Green Island Corridor Network grant program.  ”The Green Island program was established to encourage more stations to offer biofuels to the public. In the near future we hope to establish ethanol and biodiesel fueling stations no more than 100 miles apart along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways.”

E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline that can be used in flexible fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on either conventional gasoline or ethanol blends up to E85.  Approximately 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles in Tennessee are flex fuel vehicles according to reports from the Tennessee Department of Revenue and General Motors. B20 is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel and can be used in most diesel engines with little or no modifications.  Biodiesel is a regulated diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as plant oils or animal fats.

For more information on Tennessee’s biofuels program or to find out where biofuels are offered in your area, please visit the BioTENN website (www.biotenn.com).

Download (PDF) a list of all biofuels stations in Tennessee.