Sales Snapshot: Ft. Collins, CO Hearts Hybrids, E85
Visitors to Ft. Collins Colorado don't have any problem finding the massive WWV shortwave antenna array that broadcasts the time from the government's famous atomic clock. In town, locating a hybrid on a car dealer’s lot ain't so easy. The Coloradoan reports that local hybrid sales are high. Mark Pedersen of Pedersen Toyota pronounced them "extremely steady." Over at Markley Motors Honda store, used car manager Jaime Twito says Honda's hybrids are usually sold before they arrive. "We take everything they give us… they're hard to keep on the ground." Things are a little tougher for Brad Laugel, inventory manager at Dellenbach Motors. While the Chevy dealer has no hybrids to sell, he’s expecting a few ‘08 gas – electric Malibus later this year. Changing the subject ever-so-slightly, Laugel says Ft. Collins is “a good market” for vehicles like the Silverado and Tahoe, which can run on E85. Fortunately, unlike most U.S. towns, Ft. Collins actually has a station selling the brew: Western Convenience Store on 1113 West Drake Road. Be sure and say hello for us– but don't ask if they have the exact time.
Glenn is a baby-boomer, born in 1954. Along with his wife, he makes his home in Connecticut. Employed in the public sector as an Information Tedchnology Specialist, Glenn has long been a car fan. Past rides have included heavy iron such as a 1967 GTO, to a V8 T-Bird. In between those high-horsepower cars, he's owned a pair of BMW 320i's. Now, with a daily commute of 40 miles, his concession to MPG dictates the ownership of a 2006 Honda Civic coupe which, while fun to drive, is a modest car for a pistonhead. As an avid reader, Glenn enjoys TTAC, along with many other auto-realated sites, and the occasional good book. As an avid electronic junkie, Glenn holds an Advanced Class amateur ("ham") radio license, and is into many things electronic. From a satellite radio and portable GPS unit in the cars, to a modest home theater system and radio-intercom in his home, if it's run by the movement of electrons, he's interested. :-)
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Actually at Broadway & Alameda in Denver is a gas station selling E85.
How much does E85 cost? (subsidized cost - At the pump).
N85523: I have seen at least half a dozen gas stations in the Denver metro area selling E85. There is one in Aurora near Iliff and Chambers, another in Lakewood near Alameda and Simms, and the aforementioned one near Alameda and Broadway. That covers West, East and Central. Price: Last time I saw the one on Iliff and Chambers was at about $2.19 vs. $2.85 or so for regular unleaded. As for whether the price is subsidized at the pump or not - what difference does that make to the driver? And at the risk of taking this discussion completely off topic, do you really think the price of dinosaur juice isn't subsidized? Glenn: By way of disclosure you might want to mention that Fort Collins is home to one of Colorado's larger universities, Colorado State. College towns in general are much more hybrid-friendly than non-college towns. Laramie, Wyoming also has a lot of hybrids, and is home to the University of Wyoming. Rawlins, just 100 miles down the road (which is right next door in Wyoming terms) is home to the state prison, and hybrid vehicles are as scarce as honest lawyers.