Higher Ethanol Blends Likely Ahead
Study finds 20% ethanol blend works in wide range of vehicles.
Compiled by staff
Published: Apr 1, 2008
In the search for independence from foreign oil, the drive to increase ethanol blending levels received another boost.
A recent study conducted by the state of Minnesota found gasoline containing ethanol blends of 20% does not negatively impact the vehicles currently on the road, and met driver's expectations for performance and power.
Car manufacturers encourage the use of E10 gasoline, but the study suggested cars currently found on the road are also suitable for E20. According to the study, a move to increase the ethanol blend from the current standard of 10% to 20% is "viable and should be pursued."
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes gasoline blended with 10% ethanol as an acceptable fuel for use in today's gasoline vehicle fleet. Automakers have asserted that their legacy fleet - those vehicles on the road today - are not capable of accommodating higher levels of ethanol.
Ralph Groschen, agriculture marketing specialist for the State of Minnesota, explains the research demonstrates to the EPA and automakers that the 20% ethanol blend is an acceptable additive for gasoline without adversely impacting technologies found in today's cars.
The State of Minnesota conducted the study as part of the process to meet a state law that requires ethanol comprise 20% of all gasoline sold in the state beginning in 2013. Minnesota and its partners will soon apply to the EPA for the waiver to federal rules that will allow E20 to be used in all of the state's gasoline. Groschen says the EPA approval must come by December 2010.
The year-long research effort examined 40 pairs of vehicles including standard passenger vehicles, gas-electric hybrids and delivery vehicles and focused on drivability and materials compatibility. The vehicles were driven by University of Minnesota employees, who submitted log books compiled during the course of the study. In addition, certified professionals drove the vehicles quarterly and submitted their findings.
The study was conducted over 12 months to ensure the fuel and the vehicles operated in weather conditions common to all four seasons. Drivers who participated in the testing indicated that E20 provided both the power and performance they expected.
In addition to road tests, researchers conducted laboratory tests to evaluate the effect of 20% ethanol blends on materials commonly found in conventional vehicle fuel systems. These included components made of various metals, rubber and plastics. Test results indicated E20 was compatible with the vehicle fuel systems.
Improving mileage
Groschen says one would expect slightly poorer gas mileage with the higher blends. Although the study did not focus specifically on the mileage, the raw data showed a less than 1% difference in mileage.
Similarly a study released last December found mid-range ethanol blends - fuel mixtures with more ethanol than E10 but less than E85 - can in some cases provide better fuel economy than regular unleaded gasoline, even in standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles.
Previous assumptions held that ethanol's lower energy content directly correlates with lower fuel economy for drivers. Those assumptions were found to be incorrect. Instead, the new research strongly suggests that there is an "optimal blend level" of ethanol and gasoline—most likely E20 or E30—at which cars will get better mileage than predicted based strictly on the fuel's per-gallon Btu content.
The December study, cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), also found that mid-range ethanol blends reduce tailpipe emissions.
Road ahead
Minnesota has been a leader in pushing for ethanol use, and now, higher ethanol blends. But many obstacles remain.
It took several years for auto manufacturers to accept 10% ethanol blends and changing the status quo is always difficult, Groschen says. The auto industry likely will still conduct future tests on their own.
Chad Hart, head of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development Biorenewables Policy division, expects it will take at least another two to three years before higher ethanol blends are introduced.
Given the Minnesota study's results, it is likely other Midwestern states will consider mandating an increased ethanol blend. Current federal legislation mandates ethanol use at roughly a 10% blend. Any state ethanol mandates at a higher level would likely absorb an even larger share of the corn crop and increase competition for livestock producers.
Areas who widely embrace E10 use, would easily be able to transition into E20. Hart said the three main pockets of current E10 use include the Upper Midwest, California and the New York/Connecticut area due to clean air requirements.
E20 adoption could help increase ethanol blending overall in areas such as the southeast, Hart said. If it is shown to maintain its price advantage, it offers blenders higher incentives to blend more.
The final component of the Minnesota scoping study - emissions testing - is ongoing. Researchers are conducting tests on three separate emission control systems, and the results of those tests are being analyzed. Those results will be made available upon the completion of the testing program.
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Tagged: ethanol, EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, livestock producers, corn crop
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