Vehicle donated to state to promote use of ethanol

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state motor pool will have an additional vehicle in March.<br/><br/>General Motors announced Tuesday that it will provide an ethanol-capable E85 Chevrolet Avalanche to Oklahoma

Tuesday, February 8th 2005, 5:42 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state motor pool will have an additional vehicle in March.

General Motors announced Tuesday that it will provide an ethanol-capable E85 Chevrolet Avalanche to Oklahoma and to each of the other 27 member states of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition for a year. The vehicles are intended to promote the use of ethanol.

E85 vehicles can operate on either gas or 85 percent ethanol without any additional modifications, aftermarket conversions or switches.

Gov. Brad Henry signed legislation in 2004 that would give tax credits to ethanol producers and restraints on the production of the fuel have been removed.

The legislation is expected to make it easier for an ethanol plant to be built in the state in the future.