Gareth McGrath, August 11 – For most folks, it’s the price of gasoline that matters.
But for a vocal minority, it’s what’s in the gasoline that really matters.
Or, to be more precise, what isn’t – specifically ethanol.
Several years ago, Musa Agil looked to capitalize on that demand and make his mark in the Wilmington market by starting to sell ethanol-free gasoline at his pair of independent gas stations – Wrightsville Country Store and Masonboro Country Store.
“We were trying to find a niche,” said the station owner. “We were a little guy and we didn’t want to compete with the big guys head-on.”
Six years later, Agil has a loyal customer base that drives from as far away as southern Brunswick County to fill the tanks of their cars, boats, motorcycles and lawn equipment with his ethanol-free fuels – which he now sells in three grades.
The gasoline is a hot seller even though it can cost 30 to 40 cents more per gallon than the fuels that are blended with ethanol.