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Old 08-10-2007, 01:00 PM
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Arrow VeraSun Energy to Test Ford's Escape Hybrid Flexible Fuel Vehicle ...

VeraSun Chosen to Receive One of 20 Hybrid FFVs BROOKINGS, S.D., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE) , one of the nation's largest ethanol producers, today announced that as part of its continuing partnership with Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) , the company took possession of one of the first hybrid flexible fuel vehicles, or FFVs, ever produced. VeraSun will test the new Ford Escape Hybrid FFV for a two-year period to demonstrate the benefit of converging flexible fuel and hybrid technologies.

"We applaud Ford for their leadership in the production of these first hybrid FFVs," said Bill Honnef, VeraSun's Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "This technology represents a glimpse into the future where a consumer will have the ability to fuel a vehicle on ethanol, in the form of E85, or gasoline while it optimizes efficiency through the use of hybrid battery technology."

The Escape Hybrid FFV will produce up to 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions when running on E85 as compared to the standard Escape Hybrid running on gasoline. Ford is delivering 20 Escape Hybrid FFVs to strategic partners and fleet customers in six different states.

"As a leader in both hybrid vehicles and vehicles capable of operating on ethanol based fuels, Ford is the ideal company to bring both technologies together for the first time," said Nancy Gioia, Ford Motor Company Director of Sustainable Mobility Technology and Hybrid Programs. "Both the Escape Hybrid E85 and the ethanol fuel it runs on are made in America. Although we currently do not have plans to produce the Escape Hybrid E85, the research from this technology could lead to breakthroughs in more advanced technologies. We're proud that our partner VeraSun will use one of these vehicles to promote the need to expand availability of biofuels for America's drivers."

The Escape Hybrid FFV is a "full" hybrid, meaning it automatically switches between pure electric power, pure E85 power or a combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance. Full hybrids achieve their greatest improvement in fuel economy during stop-and-go driving when the electric motor operates alone up to 25 mph.

"The Escape Hybrid FFV is an example of the strengthening relationship between the renewable fuels industry and the automakers," Honnef said. "We have a growing mutual interest to further develop the domestic biofuels market."

VeraSun launched its own branded E85, VE85(TM) in May 2005. Since then, VE85(TM) has expanded from seven stations in Sioux Falls, S.D., to more than 90 retail locations in nine states and Washington, D.C. VeraSun and Ford partnered in June 2006 to open the industry's first "Ethanol Corridor" by adding 14 VE85(TM) stations along between Chicago and St. Louis.

Media Alert

VeraSun will showcase the Escape Hybrid at several upcoming events, including its VE85(TM) summer pump tour promotion at Get-N-Go in Sioux Falls on August 10, VeraSun Biorefinery Grand Opening in Charles City Iowa on August 17, and various plant groundbreakings and grand openings within the next year.

About VeraSun Energy Corporation

VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE) , headquartered in Brookings, South Dakota, is committed to be a leading producer of renewable fuel. The Company has three operating ethanol production facilities located in Aurora, SD, Fort Dodge, IA, and Charles City, IA, with three facilities under construction in Hartley, IA, Welcome, MN and Reynolds, IN. VeraSun is in the process of acquiring another three biorefineries currently under construction in Albion, NE, Bloomingburg, OH and Linden, IN. Upon completion of the new facilities and those being acquired, VeraSun will have an annual production capacity of approximately one billion gallons by the end of 2008. The Company also has plans to extract oil from dried distillers grains, a co-product of the ethanol process, for use in biodiesel production.

The Company markets E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline for use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), directly to fuel retailers under the brand VE85(TM). VE85(TM), the first-ever branded E85, is now available at more than 90 retail locations. For more information, please visit VeraSun's Web sites at http://www.verasun.com/ or http://www.ve85.com/. Website: http://www.verasun.com/

Website: http://www.ve85.com/

Source: [url=http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20070809/AQTH06609082007-1.html]PR Newswire[/url]
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