EPA Approves E15 Ethanol-Gas Blended Fuel for Newer Vehicles

[Shanks12]

EPA Approves E15 Ethanol-Gas Blended Fuel for Newer Vehicles

By Dave Lee

The Environmental Protection Agency has approved a higher blend of ethanol for use in gasoline, but only for vehicles built since 2007. The move will raise the amount of ethanol from 10% — called E10, which is sold at most gas pumps — to 15%, or E15. However, you might not see the new blend at the pump right away, according to our colleagues at Kicking Tires.

The effort to adopt E15 has earned support from alternative fuel advocates and corn-producing states that have urged the government to use more of the renewable resource. Congress has required fuel refiners to blend 36 billion gallons of biofuels into auto fuel by 2022, and the EPA argues that the mandate can’t be met without raising the E10 blend. E85 fuel – a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used in flex-fuel-capable vehicles — is not affected.

The change has drawn criticism from numerous groups. Engine makers caution that the new blend could lead to consumer confusion at the pump and corrode engines that don’t support E15; ranchers argue that growing more corn, from which ethanol is made, could inflate feed prices for cattle and thus supermarket prices; and environmentalists call switching to E15 a poor use of farmland and wasteful agriculture. Fuel sellers also say they’ll wait to sell the new blend until there’s more public education regarding the new fuel.

The EPA is expected to widen E15 to vehicles built since 2001 after more testing is completed next month.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

 

[Zembonez]

I remember reading recently that there was not enough corn production already for food, feed, and fuel production. I wonder how they are gonna pull another 5% out of thin air?

 

[GATOR CREW]

O joy!!!

 

[Draenor]

 

[Nick The Great]

I remember reading recently that there was not enough corn production already for food, feed, and fuel production. I wonder how they are gonna pull another 5% out of thin air?

That's not nearly as big of an issue as people make it out to be.

The cost of corn in any consumer food products is FAR less than you'd think. Example, at $4/bu, there is only 18.4 cents of corn cost in a pound of beef. And 25.4 cents in a pound of pork. And only 14.3 cents in a pound of chicken. I don't have the figures, but I'd wager oil prices, TAXES, packaging, etc. comprise a larger percentage of your meats price.

And furthermore, the vast majority of US corn is used for animal feed. And the fermentation leftovers (DDG) can be (and is) still fed to animals. The fermentation process leaves the gluten largely untouched, which means the protein value of the corn is still in tact.

 

[La Bestia]

WTF are they talking about corn producing states are urging more ethanol use? Maybe our hippie ass government is but every farmer I know says the ethanol gig is raping them. Forget the exact price point but lets say they aren't paying full price for that corn.

 

[daddy]

I remember reading recently that there was not enough corn production already for food, feed, and fuel production. I wonder how they are gonna pull another 5% out of thin air?

Maybe they're going to stop paying farmers not to grow it?

 

[Z71_Silvy]

Enjoy your lower gas mileage!!

 

[Texas Jim]

Enjoy your lower gas mileage!!

The Caddy takes about an 8% hit in mileage when using E10 vs "REAL GAS"...
I hate to think what it will do on E15...

 

[Darkanion]

Enjoy your lower gas mileage!!

That's what I was thinking.. You have one side of the govt pushing for higher fuel economy #'s.. You have another side ramming this ethanol crap (which, in my experience hurts fuel economy) down our throats..

It reminds me of the when the govt told GM and Chrysler they "had" to close dealerships to get govt assistance for their bankruptcies.... and then sided with the dealerships to SUE GM & Chrysler to get some of the dealerships reopened..

Pick A side and stick with it!