SPRINGFIELD - In a move designed to boost the number of state vehicles running on corn- and soy-based fuels, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation Friday requiring state agencies to purchase cars and trucks that can run on E85, an 85 percent blend of ethanol and gasoline.

Although there are some exceptions to the new rule, such as state police cars and some four-wheel drive vehicles, the move also affects diesel-powered vehicles that run on B5, a blend of 5 percent biodiesel and regular diesel fuel. The legislation also encourages state agencies to purchase fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.

"By using biofuels to fuel state cars and trucks, we're helping the environment and supporting our farmers," Blagojevich said in a prepared statement.

The measure was sponsored by state Rep. Mike Boland, D-Moline.

"This bill will continue to spur markets for Illinois corn and soybean farmers as demand for these fuels continue to increase," Boland said.

In recent years, both the availability of biofuels and vehicles that operate on biofuels has risen markedly, as new ethanol and biodiesel plants begin production and auto manufacturers produce additional models of cars and trucks that operate on the fuel.

According to the governor's office, state agencies already equipped with flexible fuel vehicles used 122,441 gallons of E85 between April and August of last year, with a monthly average of more than 8,100 gallons.

More than 400 of the 700 passenger vehicles state agencies purchased in the prior fiscal year were flexible fuel vehicles. In all, about 16 percent of the state's 12,100-vehicle fleet can now run on E85.