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E20 blend passes
compatibility, performance tests
Study finds 20 percent
ethanol blend works in wide range of vehicles
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Increasing the amount of
renewable ethanol blended into gasoline from10
percent to 20 percent does not present problems for
current vehicles or fuel dispensing equipment
and provides similar power and performance,
according to a new study released Wednesday by the
State of Minnesota.
Using 40 pairs of vehicles commonly found on
American roads, a year-long research effort found
that increasing ethanol blends from 10 percent (E10)
to 20 percent (E20) in a gallon of gasoline provided
an effective fuel across a range of tests focusing
on drivability and materials compatibility.
"Using homegrown renewable fuel is an important
part of Americanizing our energy future and
unhooking our country from foreign sources of oil,”
Governor Tim Pawlenty said. “This study shows that
we can safely increase the amount of ethanol blended
with gasoline for use in today’s vehicles. We’re
proud that Minnesota is helping lead the nation to a
cleaner, more secure energy future and we’re hopeful
that other states will continue to join with us in
this effort.”
The State of Minnesota conducted the study as
part of the process to meet a state law that
requires ethanol comprise 20 percent of all gasoline
sold in the state beginning in 2013. Governor
Pawlenty signed legislation that included this
requirement in 2005. Minnesota and its partners will
soon apply to the EPA for a waiver to federal rules
that will allow E20 to be used in all of the state’s
gasoline.
The study used nationally recognized standards
and protocols to ensure research quality. It was
conducted at Minnesota State University Mankato and
the University of Minnesota, with cooperation from
the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Renewable
Fuels Association. The study included input from
fuel refiners, and automakers, and funding support
from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the
Council of Great Lakes Governors.
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson
said the research provides additional evidence of
the value of ethanol blended fuels.
“Until now, there has been limited information
available on the performance of fuels with higher
ethanol content,” Commissioner Hugoson said. “This
research gives us solid information on how these
fuels can be expected to perform in today’s
vehicles.”
The study included standard passenger vehicles,
gas-electric hybrids and delivery vehicles. 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.
-more-
In addition to the road tests, researchers conducted
laboratory tests to evaluate the effect of 20
percent 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.
The final component of the 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.
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) recognizes gasoline blended with 10 percent
ethanol as an acceptable fuel for use in today’s
gasoline vehicle fleet. Likewise, virtually all
automakers warranty the use of E10. However,
automakers have asserted that their vehicles on the
road today are not capable of accommodating higher
levels of ethanol. The Minnesota study addressed
these concerns and found no evidence that E20 would
more adversely impact technologies commonly found in
vehicles on American roads today.
Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen
noted that the recently passed federal energy bill
will help usher in the use of ethanol beyond the
traditional 10 percent blends.
“It is becoming increasingly obvious that this
nation can and should begin to move in the direction
of ethanol blends in excess of 10 percent,” said
Dinneen. “Together with the increases in fuel
economy passed by the 2007 energy bill, the expanded
use of ethanol can dramatically reduce demand for
gasoline and increasingly displace our need for oil
and gasoline imports.”
Electronic copies of the full preliminary report
may be found at the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture website at
www.mda.state.mn.us. |
