Kroger to Offer Ohio Motorists E85 Ethanol Fuel

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 6 -- The Kroger Co. today announced it will begin selling E85 ethanol fuel at stations in central Ohio beginning in August.

Kroger's rollout of dispensers that sell E85 fuel will provide convenient access for Ohio motorists. "Kroger is excited to offer this innovative fuel to Ohio customers. We believe customer interest in this alternative fuel will grow as it becomes more conveniently available," said Bruce Macaulay, President of Kroger's Great Lakes division. The division, based in Columbus, includes 245 grocery stores in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.

E85 flexible fuel vehicles can use both traditional gasoline and E85, which is a blend of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol, a renewable, domestic fuel. Using this type of fuel may reduce greenhouse gases and the nation's dependence on petroleum.

"We are pleased to partner with the State of Ohio and General Motors as we work together to make it easier for customers to access this renewable fuel," Mr. Macaulay said.

The first Kroger fuel station in Ohio to offer E85 fuel is located at 7000 East Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio. The alternative fuel will be available at that site in August.

The company is making station improvements needed to offer E85 in Ohio and plans to offer E85 at more Kroger fuel centers as consumer demand grows. Specific locations throughout central Ohio, Dayton, Cincinnati and Toledo will be announced as they come on line.

Kroger launched E85 fuel stations in Texas last month and is exploring additional opportunities to offer customers E85 fuel throughout the U.S. Kroger Plus Card customers will enjoy the additional per gallon savings offered on all types of fuel.

Kroger operates more than 600 supermarket fueling stations nationwide, including more than 80 in Ohio, all of which are located next to Kroger retail grocery stores. Kroger also operates more than 700 convenience store fueling sites in the U.S.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,483 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger and Kroger Marketplace, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 783 convenience stores, 423 fine jewelry stores, 593 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit http://www.kroger.com/.