A small Virginia-based aftermarket additive supplierhas big plans toventure into the fast-lube and ethanol fuel markets with a planned chain of E85 Quick Lubes.XcelPlus says it will start acquiring fast-lube centers in the Midwest this month, where it will adapt vehicles to use E85 ethanol fuel and promote a planned line of E85 motor oils.
In February, XcelPlus became the U.S. and Canadian distributor for Flextek systems, an ethanol conversion kit made in Brazil. E85 ethanol fuel is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline. The Flextek adaptor kit will permit most vehicles with multi-port fuel injections systems, with either Bosch or Delphi fuel injector connectors, to run on either ethanol or unleaded gas, according to XcelPlus. The system includes a switch, so drivers can pick the fuel they wish to use.
CEO Bill Smith told Lube Report the company is also planning a line of E85 motor oils which will be formulated for use with E85 fuels. Smith said the motor oils will be API-licensed. The lube centers will also promote the companys stable of aftermarket additives, Smith said, including new lines for E85-fueled engines, and older lines that were originally marketed under the Lubrilon, Duration and XcelPlus names.
Smith said the E85 Quick Lubes will not be affiliated with any other oil companies, but we may carry Mobil 1.
A publicly traded company, XcelPlus is headquartered in Saluda, Va., and has 10 employees.