Early test runs with a Lewisburg Police cruiser using E85 fuel indicate savings from a lower price won't be consumed by lower miles per gallon, according to the city manager.

E85 fuel, available in Lewisburg at a convenience store at the north intersection of Ellington Parkway and Nashville Highway, is 85 percent corn-based ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, a blend that's nearly the opposite of regular gas blended with ethanol.

Police Chief Chuck Forbis has had one patrol car running on ethanol for a couple of weeks. The test run is continuing. More figures are to be reported when the city's Police Advisory Board meets in July.

"Our gas mileage is really pitiful," City Manager Eddie Fuller said of the miles per gallon with regular gasoline in police cars. "It's like the garbage . . . .Pick up a copy of today's edition, Wednesday, June 18, 2008, for entire story.