More Delays for General Motor's E85 Trucks

Continued technical problems with the ethanol components of General Motor's four-cylinder, S-Series and GMC Sonoma pickup trucks will mean pushing back the introduction date after the 1998 model year.

Last spring, General Motors had announced all those models in the 1997 model year would be capable of running on up to 85 percent ethanol.

The latest problems have brought some doubt that General Motors plans will be as widespread. Instead of making all trucks E-85, it may only be an option. The problems are material-related, such as injectors and base engine wear. "The cost differential with the hardware is growing," said a General Motors source. An introduction date "depends on how quickly those problems can be resolved," he added.

Stricter evaporative emissions requirements coming up in 1999 ae also an issue and drive up the cost. "A number of things are making these more unique than gasoline," the source said.

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This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under agreement No. 43-3AES-5-80074. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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