http://community.csdecisions.net/ Convenience Store Decisions Community Tag: Fuel Operations en Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:22:05 +0000 http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/12#post-18 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:14:31 +0000 admin 18@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>For conversion to E-85, checking with the manufacturer of the tank, piping, and dispensers to ensure that they are compatible with alcohol isn’t enough. Until the manufacturer’s equipment is specifically UL listed for use with E-85, using the equipment may cause your liability insurance carrier to drop you! </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/12#post-17 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:14:26 +0000 admin 17@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I recently read a story in Convenience Store Decisions that there is a considerable cost for upgrading tanks to accommodate ethanol products. Can you explain what the different requirements are for gas with a 10-15% ethanol versus E85 and a rough estimate.</p> <p>---</p> <p>For converting an existing gasoline tank to 10-15% ethanol the main objective is to ensure that the tank doesn't contain any water or debris. For conversion to E-85 you must ALSO check with the manufacturer of the tank, piping, and dispensers to ensure that they are compatible with alcohol. The cost to remove water and debris from your tank will vary according to the size and condition of the tank and the local contractor availability, but may be around $1000 plus waste disposal fees. The cost for thorough tank cleaning for E-85 conversion may be higher. If your tanks are fairly new and don't contain much water or debris your costs could be lower. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/10#post-14 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:12:08 +0000 admin 14@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>More and more supermarkets and hypermarts are getting into the gasoline business and are undercutting our margins. Is this trend ever going to slow down?</p> <p>---</p> <p>All items that has frequent repeat sales such as groceries, prepared food and gasoline is "trending" into every retailer's assortment. This trend has the same magnetic appeal to supermarkets and supercenters as it does to c-stores and it isn't apt to slow down. Big retailers have developed a variety of marketing schemes to capitalize of the appeal of their "cheaper" gasoline. Kroger's plan of selling fuel for 10 cent a gallon off regular price to its customers based on their grocery purchases appears to be quite effective. The trend of adding gasoline to big retailers' assortments will continue without remorse until fossil fuel gives way to some other energy source. May c-stores offer "it" first. </p>