Calverton Getty serves up E85 fuel
Only local station to sell the gas alternative
6 comments below
Calverton Getty manager Marley Ozyilmaz at the gas station's pump that dispenses e85, an alternative fuel comprised of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. It's the only station in Riverhead Town that sells e85.
Available via two bright yellow pumps to distinguish it from regular gasoline, E85 has been selling at the Middle Country Road gas station since the fall.
"It's something really new," said station owner Marley Ozyilmaz. "A lot of people don't know we have it yet."
E85, a mixture of up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is a gasoline alternative experts say is both renewable and cleaner burning.
E85 also has a much higher octane rating than even premium gas, usually in the 95 to 106 range, allowing it to be used in higher performance vehicles,
Currently, only flex-fuel vehicles can use E85; the alcohol in the ethanol will corrode the rubber in the fuel tanks of cars that aren't equipped to handle E85. Carmakers are expected to offer more flex-fuel models in the coming years.
At the Calverton Getty, E85 was going for $2.33 per gallon on Tuesday, while regular gas cost $2.85. Although E85 is obviously cheaper than regular gasoline by the gallon, it gives fewer miles per gallon than regular gasoline so whether or not it's the more economical option is debatable.
Still, Mr. Ozyilmaz is hoping to spread the word on the new fuel.
He said that when his Getty station first began offering E85, it sold only 300 gallons of the fuel in the first month. Last month, the gas station sold 4,500 gallons. "It's coming up slowly," he said.
It was representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who first approached Mr. Ozyilmaz about selling E85. The federal government offers tax incentives for gas station owners who sell it and Mr. Oziyilmaz said he makes eight additional cents for every gallon of E85 he purchases. It also enables him to sell the gas cheaper than regular gasoline.
Besides the Calverton station, the nearest gas stations to offer E85 are in Water Mill and Holbrook.
Currently Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan and Toyota all install E85-compatible engines as standard equipment in some of their vehicles.
Jim Maloney, service manager at Lucas Ford in Southold, said his dealership has had minimal inquiries about flex-fuel vehicles, but he believes that will change as E85 becomes more available in the area.
Mr. Maloney said he thought Ford customers, many of whom are attracted to the domestic automaker because it did not receive government bailout money, would also be interested in a renewable fuel that reduces dependency on foreign oil.
He said Ford has been adding additional flex-fuel vehicles to its fleet of cars every year.
"I think people will be attracted to it," he said. "It gives people a choice."
vchinese@timesreview.com
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6 comments found
address : 3/19/2010
Hey this is my fathers station
4123 middle country rd
Calverton NY 11933
location : 3/16/2010
Calverton Getty 4123 Middle Country Rd
Where is this? : 3/14/2010
That really doesn't do me any good!
I can't put "west of the restaurant " into a GPS database-
I need an address please- if the Getty listed below isn't it, what IS the address and/or phone number for this place?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give-
Ethanol : 3/14/2010
Its right on 25a in Calverton....Its the big "truck stop" on the south side ....Its west of The Crossroads restaurant.
Where is this? : 3/13/2010
I found this one- but it is not in Calverton, and is not in Riverhead. It's in Ridge. Is this the right one?
Getty
Sultan Auto Repair
1823 Middle County Road
Ridge, NY 11961
(631) 345-6037
Can anyone confirm if this is the right station?
Thanks
Where is this? : 3/13/2010
What is the address of the station? I'm trying to look it up on a map and can't find it. Thanks!
