Until now, agencies were acquiring AFVs, but mostly using gasoline. AFV USER aims to change this practice by financially assisting agencies that agree to use alternative fuels. 128 federal FFVs will be added under the Twin Cities fleet program in 2000. Ethanol - Ethyl alcohol is fermented from plant sugars. In MN, ethanol is produced at 15 facilities from starch in corn, cheese whey and brewery wastes.
Ethanol is a renewable resource unlike fossil fuels, which have a finite supply.
FFV - Flexible Fuel Vehicle. FFVs can operate on any blend of gasoline and or E85. When E85 is not available, gasoline is used. No buttons, gauges or switches all fuel goes in one tank. Designation comes with proven support and work toward increasing use of alternative fuels, like biodiesel, propane, natural gas and E85.