Kroger Expands Ethanol Delivery

The growing fleet of flex fuel vehicles is getting better access to ethanol thanks to grocery chain Kroger. The company has partnered with VeraSun Energy to distribute its VE85 fuel at 20 new locations in Texas making it easy to pick up biofuel when you shop for vegetable oil.

In addition to the oil country of Texas, Kroger has also begun selling E85 in Michigan. If the grocer can build interest in the fuel where people like petroleum and big cars, then they should find success everywhere, even in Hollywood for a bargain price today.

During 2007 the number of E85 pumps grew by 35 percent, but that's down from 116 percent growth the previous year, according to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. You can find where E85 is available in your area here.

The federal mandate for ethanol production ensures that more distribution centers and pumps will be installed. However it will likely take years before the majority of flex fuel vehicles consistently fill up with E85 because of the spotty availability. If gas prices continue to rise however, people will be more likely to go out of their way to find it.