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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/69728
INDUSTRY NEWS Gevo and VP Racing Fuels announce partnership GEVO, INC., a renewable chemicals and next- generation biofuels company, and VP Racing Fuels, Inc., a performance fuel technology and high-quality specialty fuel blends company, announced May 2 that they have agreed to jointly evaluate the commercial potential for isobutanol in a wide array of markets. The goal is to develop a product line of renewable, high-performance, isobutanol-based fuel blends for the small-engine market while looking toward other performance applications for isobutanol as well. The relationship will allow the companies to initially assess market opportunities, positioning and distribution channels to commercialize renewable fuels for outdoor power equipment. "We look forward to exploring the potential of an isobutanol version of renewable, branded and private-label packaged fuels for retail," said Alan Cerwick, president of VP. "Isobutanol's unique low-water solvency and noncorrosive characteristics in small-engine fuels potentially will offer consumers a high- performance, renewable biofuel for a wide variety of small-engine applications." "VP is recognized as a leader in Grasshopper Company launches Fuel Expense & Emissions Calculator THE GRASSHOPPER COMPANY — manufacturer of commercial zero-turn riding mowers — recently announced a new online tool designed to calculate fuel costs and impacts of commercial mowing equipment. With the mowing season in full swing and fuel prices averaging close to $4 per gallon nationwide, landscape contractors and maintenance supervisors are struggling to keep fuel expenses from eating into their budgets. The Fuel Expense & Emissions Calculator — available at grasshopperfuelsavings.com — presents visitors with fuel costs and savings comparisons, greenhouse and smog-forming gas emissions per hour of mowing, and overall profitability comparisons for each of the three most popular fuel choices for commercial mowers: gasoline, propane and diesel. The result is a robust tool that provides a comprehensive analysis of the impacts each fuel type has on budgets and the environment. Ruthanne Stucky, executive vice president and marketing director at Grasshopper, said her company developed the calculator since no tool of its kind existed to compare fuel expenses, as well as how to reduce fuel emissions for commercial mowers. "Our industry is greatly influenced by fuel prices, so this calculator will be the essential tool for determining fuel costs," said Stucky. "And, as stewards of the land, we also need to be aware of the environmental impact of our equipment. This new tool does both accurately and conveniently." Due to the volatile nature of fuel prices, the calculator is designed for individual customization which allows users to revisit the program and calculate new totals any time prices fluctuate. performance fuel technology with more than 70 fuel blends for motorsports, as well as fuels for small engines and hobby fuels for radio- controlled cars, airplanes and helicopters," said Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. "Supplying isobutanol for a new line of value-added, high- performance fuels is an exciting proposition for Gevo. We're on the cusp of starting up our first isobutanol plant in Luverne, Minn., and we look forward to bringing another first to the industry, isobutanol-based blends for small- engine fuels." PERC initiates propane mower incentive program THE PROPANE EDUCATION & RESEARCH COUNCIL (PERC) announced May 23 that it is offering $1,000 to qualified buyers of a new propane-fueled mower who agree to share information about the mower's performance. Customers who are accepted into the PERC Propane Mower Incentive Program can get the incentive for up to 10 eligible mowers bought from any mower dealer in the nation. The new propane commercial mower must be equipped with a 60- to 72-inch cutting deck. "This is a research initiative that will reward lawn and landscape customers for choosing a lower- emissions mower and help PERC meet its research goals," said Mark Leitman, director of business development and marketing at PERC. Propane-fueled mowers cost less to operate than gasoline-fueled mowers owing to greater usage during ozone action days, convenient on-site fuel delivery, and the virtual elimination of fuel spillage and loss. Propane mowers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half compared with gasoline mowers and meet or exceed Environmental Protection Agency emissions requirements. Propane is made in the United States, and using it instead of imported fuel can help increase the nation's energy security. The $1,000-per-mower incentive can be combined with any manufacturer rebates and state propane gas association rebates for which the customer is eligible. Major manufacturers offering propane-fueled mowers include the Ariens Company (Gravely brand), Briggs & Stratton Corporation (Snapper Pro and Ferris brands), Dixie Chopper, Exmark, Husqvarna, Kubota, MTD Products (Cub Cadet), Scag, Schiller Grounds Care (Bob-Cat brand), Toro and Zipper. 10 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com