June 15, 1978
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board introduces ethanol-blended fuels in
Iowa at five farm cooperatives:
Clarence Cooperative (Clarence)
Farmers Cooperative Association (Cumberland)
Felco Gas and Service Station (Ft. Dodge)
Osage Co-op Oil Company (Osage)
Peterson Cooperative Elevator Association (Peterson)
1979
Iowans could buy ethanol-blended fuels at 650 Iowa retail gas stations.
Chrysler is the first automaker to cover the use of 10% ethanol-blend
in its warranty statements.
1980
ICPB puts up ethanol (gasohol) billboards across Iowa . Ford and General
Motors issue warranty statements covering the use of 10% ethanol blends.
1981
U.S. ethanol use passes the 100 million-bushel mark.
1984
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces standards to significantly
reduce the lead content in gasoline, opening a new market for ethanol
as an octane-booster replacement for lead.
1985
Ford manufactures the first flexible-fuel vehicles capable of running
on unblended gasoline, 10% ethanol, 85% ethanol or 85% methanol.
1988
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad orders all Iowa state vehicles run on
ethanol-blended fuel. ICPB begins advertising ethanol-blended fuel,
and ethanol's market share in Iowa reaches 31%.
1990
Checkoff helps design and introduce new fuel pump labels that promote
ethanol's advantages at Iowa stations. Iraqi invasion of Kuwait focuses
attention on U.S. oil supplies and the importance of ethanol. Congress
passes amendments to the Clean Air Act, including new air quality
standards for carbon monoxide and ozone pollution. The use of cleaner-burning
oxygenates, such as ethanol, is required. President Bush signs the
Clean Air Act into law, paving the way for expanded ethanol use to
improve air quality. General Motors and Chrysler issue new warranty
statements recommending the use of ethanol-blended fuel, because of
its contribution to clean air.
1991
ICPB showcases E85 demonstration car as part of a national research
project.
1992
Ethanol is designated as Iowa 's primary alternative fuel as a result
of the state's legislature passing a law that requires that 5% ethanol
of all new state vehicle purchases must be powered by alternative
fuels. Under the Clean Air Act, ethanol is used to reduce carbon monoxide
emissions. Chevrolet unveils a new Lumina E85 flexible-fuel vehicle
designed to run on 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
1993
Corn Export Milestone:
ICPB celebrates 15th anniversary of ethanol promotion with
an ethanol-fueled city transit bus media tour across Iowa. Iowa Corn
Growers Association purchases the first Chevrolet Lumina E85 sold
through an Iowa dealership.
1994
U.S. fuel ethanol market uses over 500 million bushels of corn. The
EPA issues final rules governing the Clean Air Act's Renewable Oxygen
Requirement, which provides ethanol with access to new markets in
nearly 50 cities across the country.
1995
Ford produces 250,000 flexible-fuel Taurus vehicles capable of operating
on E85. Checkoff initiates the Ethanol Classic sprint car auto race
to promote ethanol use in high-performance engines.
1996
ICPB establishes Iowa 's first public E85 fueling station. Checkoff's
fuel technician campaign begins publishing Fuel Tech Connection
newsletter and sending fuel experts to meet one-on-one with
auto mechanics to resolve ethanol questions.
1997
Chrysler announces E85 operating capabilities as standard equipment
in all 1998 models of the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler
Town & Country minivans. Ford announces E85 operating capabilities
as standard equipment in all 1999 Ranger pickups.
1998
Governor Terry Branstad signs legislation extending Iowa 's one-cent
ethanol tax exemption to 2007. Over 2,000 Iowa service stations, convenience
stores and farm coops sell ethanol-blended fuel. Ethanol celebrates
20 years in Iowa. Since ethanol was first sold in 1978, America consumers
have driven more than 2 trillion miles (80,000 trips around the world)
on ethanol.
2000
Ethanol Acceptance Milestone:
Ethanol exceeds 50% market share in Iowa. ICPB begins ethanol
education program through schools for Iowa teenage drivers.
2001
Iowa-funded scientific research helps win the California ethanol waiver
case, opening California to ethanol, a 240 million-bushel market.
The first two of a new generation of checkoff-supported, grower-owned
ethanol plants begin operation.
2002
Four grower-owned ethanol plants in Iowa start processing corn; five
more plants are under development. ICPB begins funding research to
commercialize e-diesel (ethanol-diesel blend). Ethanol blended gasoline
sales reach an annual record of 55% of the market share.
2003
Together, the 10 farmer-owned ethanol plants form the Iowa Renewable
Fuels Association, managed by the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Ethanol
sales reach 62% market share in Iowa as of September.
2004
Ethanol-blended fuels sold in Iowa hit a record 1.076 billion gallons, accounting for 65% of the market.