GM to make full-size pickups that run on ethanol

General Motors Corp. said that Monsanto Co. has placed the first 50 orders for its new Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup trucks that run on a blend of ethanol and gasoline. GM, the world's largest automaker, said it will begin offering the so-called "flex fuel" option on the 1500 series Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks with the 5300 Vortec engine in the first quarter of next year at a cost of around $250.The trucks can run using E85, a blend of up to 85% ethanol and gasoline, or using pure gasoline. Ethanol, typically made from corn products, produces less air pollution than gasoline, and reduces the dependence on foreign oil, GM said.GM also offers the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma compact pickups, and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL sport utility vehicles with E85 compatibility."We expect the demand in this area to grow," said GM spokeswoman Denise Sedman.Demand for ethanol blend vehicles has been limited by the higher cost for the fuel, and its availability at just over 100 filling stations across the United States. For building the vehicles, GM also receives a credit toward federal requirements on fuel economy, regardless of whether the trucks ever burn ethanol.Sedman said that an estimated 1.2 million vehicles in the United States are equipped to run on the E85 ethanol blend. However, industry analysts estimate that most drivers fi