Increasing ethanol in fuel does not compromise performance, concludes study

Increasing the amount of renewable ethanol blended into gasoline from 10 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 recently 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 (E-10) to 20 percent (E-20) 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," says Gov. Tim Pawlenty. "This study shows that we can safely increase the amount of ethanol blended with gasoline for use in today's vehicles."

Minnesota conducted the study as part of the process to meet a state law that requires ethanol to comprise 20 percent of all gasoline sold in the state beginning in 2013. Gov. Pawlenty signed legislation that included this requirement in 2005. Minnesota and its partners will soon apply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waiver to federal rules that will allow E-20 to be used in all of the state's gasoline.

The study 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 , along with the Renewable Fuels Association. The study included input from fuel refiners, automakers and small-engine manufacturers, and funding support from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the Council of Great Lakes Governors.

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 E-20 was compatible with the vehicle fuel systems.

The final component of the scoping study — emissions testing — is ongoing, as 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.

Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen notes 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," says 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.