Daily Auto News Push for More Ethanol in Gasoline Yields Resistance
Daily Auto News
When gas prices were high, Americans were fervently interested in alternative fuels, like ethanol, which is made from plants. Now that gas prices have stabilized around $2.50 a gallon, it seems that the search for other fuels has lost its urgency. However, you could end up with more ethanol in your fuel tank — whether you want it or not..
The Detroit News reports, “A push by corn-producing states and alternative fuel proponents to increase federal rules boosting the amount of ethanol mixed into gasoline is being fought by automakers because it would be costly and could damage engines.” The News adds, “By Dec. 1, the Environmental Protection Agency must decide whether to approve a request to increase the amount of ethanol that can be mixed with most gasoline sold at pumps to as much as 15 percent.”
Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is already a blend of up to 10 percent ethanol. Increasing the amount of ethanol in the mix could damage engines that weren’t designed to run on the plant-based fuel. The Baltimore Sun reports that earlier this month, “an unusually high concentration of ethanol in the city’s gasoline supply contributed to the breakdown of more than 70 police cars.”
The push for more ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply comes from states that produce the fuel, as well as some alternative fuel proponents. The Chicago Tribune reports, “U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson has joined several other Midwest senators in introducing federal legislation they say is aimed at protecting the region’s biofuels industry.” The legislation “would direct the EPA to allow gasoline to contain up to a 15 percent ethanol blend.” In the U.S., ethanol is typically made from corn — and Midwestern farmers who grow corn for ethanol have been hit by steady gas prices cutting the demand for ethanol.
Left Lane News says, “Automakers aren’t completely against the switch to E15, but insist more research must be done to ensure the blend doesn’t damage or disable vehicles not built with the E15 standard in mind.” They also add, “the switch to E15 is also being opposed by other industries dependent on gasoline engines,” such as the snowmobile industry and various maritime manufacturing groups.
The EPA has until December 1 to approve the increase in ethanol, or to allow time for more study to see how the change would affect America’s cars.
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