posted 12-20-2012 02:58 PM                  

SEMA has joined with a number of other trade associations to sponsor “Smarter Fuel Future,” a website intended to raise awareness about the economic and environmental threats posed by the United States’ current biofuels policy. The policy has led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to permit the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol content (E15) in order to meet artificial demands to sell biofuels. The organizations are calling on lawmakers to change the “Renewable Fuel Standard” (RFS), which is driving the U.S. policy. Otherwise, the EPA may soon be seeking to permit the sale of E20 and E30 to fulfill ever-expanding RFS demands.

Congress established the RFS in 2005 and then set ambitious goals in 2007 to mandate biofuel sales. While SEMA supports the congressional intent to help reduce foreign oil imports, the mandates are excessive and not supported by the marketplace. The RFS helped drive the EPA’s decision to permit the sale of E15 for 2001 and newer vehicles but make it illegal to fuel older cars, motorcycles and other motorized equipment since the EPA acknowledged that those products could be damaged. However, the EPA is only requiring a gas pump warning label instructing unsuspecting consumers that it is “illegal” to fill-up those products with E15.

SEMA continues to oppose E15 since ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. Many older cars were not constructed with materials to counteract ethanol’s harmful effects. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts. Revisiting the RFS provides an opportunity to rescind the EPA’s E15 decision.

posted 01-17-2013 03:54 PM                  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last August, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. The full eight-judge panel has now rejected a petition to reconsider that decision. The court found that the groups bringing the lawsuit, which included trade associations representing manufacturers of cars, boats and power equipment, along with the petroleum and food industries, lacked standing to bring the lawsuit.

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In light of the Court’s decision, SEMA is turning to the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to ban the sale of E15.

“The Court’s decision is disappointing for the millions of motorists who own older cars or those with high-performance specialty parts,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA vice president of government affairs. “These vehicles and parts are threatened with destruction by E15’s chemical properties. The EPA acknowledged the threat but, beyond minimal labeling requirements, took no additional steps to ensure that incompatible vehicles and engines were not misfueled with E15.”

SEMA is seeking passage of federal legislation that would prevent the EPA from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe emissions, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency.

SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these automobiles.

posted 01-31-2013 05:06 PM                  

This week's warm Washington temperatures had some thinking about rolling the Lawn-Boy out of the garage for the first cut of the year. And we all know what that means: Difficult starts due to E10 gas that gels when it sits.

Now, according to a new study, cars and truck may face the same fate thanks to President Obama's demand for a higher ethanol in the new E15 gas.

The fuel industry's American Petroleum Institute tested the 15 percent ethanol gas approved in 2010 and found it gums up fuel systems, prompts "check engine" lights to come on, and messes with fuel gauge readings.

"Failure of these components could result in breakdowns that leave consumers stranded on busy roads and highways," said the industry report. Worse: API said the fuel problems--not found in E5 or E10 blends--aren't always covered by auto warranties.

The industry prefers pure fuel to an ethanol mix, but the report isn't likely to slow the administrations green push, according to a Washington auto lobbyist.

The key points from the API report are below:

The additional E15 testing, completed this month, has identified an elevated incidence of fuel pump failures, fuel system component swelling, and impairment of fuel measurement systems in some of the vehicles tested. E15 could cause erratic and misleading fuel gauge readings or cause faulty check engine light illuminations. It also could cause critical components to break and stop fuel flow to the engine. Failure of these components could result in breakdowns that leave consumers stranded on busy roads and highways. Fuel system component problems did not develop in the CRC tests when either E10 or E0 was used. It is difficult to precisely calculate how many vehicles E15 could harm. That depends on how widely it is used and other factors. But, given the kinds of vehicles tested, it is safe to say that millions could be impacted.

posted 02-20-2013 11:19 AM                  

Legislation (S. 344) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to prohibit the introduction of gasoline containing over 10% ethanol into the marketplace. Over a year ago, the EPA raised the amount of ethanol permitted in gasoline from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15) and the fuel may soon appear at a gas station near you.

We Urge You to Contact Your U.S. Senators to Request Their Support for S. 344
• Ethanol increases water formation that can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. Older cars and certain high performance specialty parts are not constructed with corrosion-resistant materials or able to tolerate the higher temperatures at which E15 may burn.
• The EPA made it “illegal” to put E15 in pre-2001 vehicles. However, the EPA is willing to risk destruction of the vehicle/parts by relying solely on a gas pump label cautioning motorists not to misfuel their older vehicles. The EPA estimates that there are over 70 million such vehicles in harm’s way, along with millions more boats, lawnmowers and other gas-powered engine products.
• Auto enthusiasts have complained for years about damage caused by E10, which is now in over 90% of gas sold in the U.S. Ethanol has time to damage the engine, fuel line, fuel tank and exhaust systems when classic cars are infrequently driven and increases the risk of corrosion by 50 percent.
• S. 344 would prevent the sale of E15 and therefore protect automotive enthusiasts from the negative effects of increased ethanol content in gasoline.

DON’T DELAY! Contact your Senators immediately by phone or e-mail to request their support of S. 344.

posted 02-28-2013 12:17 PM                  

SEMA-supported legislation (HR 875) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives directing the National Academies to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15 to 20 percent ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The National Academies would have 18 months to conduct its analysis, during which time sales of E15 blended gas would be halted. HR 875 has been assigned to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for consideration. The Committee passed a similar bill last year but no further action took place. The U.S. Senate is currently considering another SEMA-supported bill (S. 344) to ban sales of E15.

We Urge You to Contact Your Congressional Representative to Request Support for H.R. 875
• H.R. 875 acknowledges that E15 causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. The EPA allows use of E15 in 2001 and newer vehicles, but agreed to make it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15. A required warning label on the gasoline pump will not protect consumers from accidentally misfueling these vehicles/engines.

• H.R. 875 prevents the EPA from permitting the sale of E15 before the report from the National Academies has been submitted to the House Science Committee.

• H.R. 875 potentially protects millions of vehicles and engines that can be harmed from E15. The EPA was premature in permitting the sale since it is still unclear how E15 impacts tailpipe and evaporative emissions, OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency.

DON’T DELAY! Click here to contact your member of the U.S. House of Representatives to request support for H.R. 875. Under Federal Officials, Identify Your Congressional District Representative: http://semasan.com/lookup.asp?g=semaga

posted 02-28-2013 03:11 PM                  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the scientific, technical and consumer impact of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). The hearing focused on the potential negative impact of E15 on engines, components and fuel-delivery systems. Ethanol absorbs water, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. The EPA allows use of E15 in ’01 and newer vehicles, but agreed to make it “illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles” with E15.

Hearing witnesses included representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), which recently issued a report documenting the detrimental effects of E15 on fuel system components. AAA voiced concern over the likelihood of misfueling due to lack of consumer education on the availability and hazards of E15. The Congressional panel identified the potential for warranty denials, motorist liability and lack of proper labeling as three critical issues making the introduction of E15 to the marketplace premature before further testing and education is completed.

The House Science Committee will soon consider a bill (HR 875) introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner directing the National Academies to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15–20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The National Academies would have 18 months to conduct its analysis, during which time sales of E15 gas would be halted. The Committee passed a similar bill last year but no further action took place.

The U.S. Senate is currently considering another SEMA-supported bill (S. 344) to ban sales of E15.

posted 03-24-2013 04:39 PM                  

By David Shepardson
Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington — The battle over ethanol is heating up: Opponents say mandates to increase the amount of the renewable fuel in the nation's gasoline supply could add billions of dollars to American drivers' fuel bills. And congressional leaders plan to take a second look at a 2007 law that mandates ethanol.

It's the latest in the ongoing war of words between corn growers and the oil industry over how much corn-based fuel should be used in the nation's 240 million gas tanks.

Under the 2007 law, the nation is increasing ethanol use in vehicles to 15.2 billion gallons this year, up from 5 billion gallons in 2007. By 2022, the U.S. must use 36 billion gallons of biofuels, with 21 billion gallons of that from advanced cellulosic ethanol made from sources other than corn.

The American Petroleum Institute, which is the oil industry's lobbying arm, says the rising mandates by 2015 could boost the price of diesel fuel 300 percent and hike gas prices 30 percent. It says the current jump in prices for ethanol credits could add 10 cents to the price of a gallon of E10 (which is 10 percent ethanol) at the pump.

Refiners can buy credits rather than actually blending ethanol in fuel. Since January, the price of ethanol credits has jumped: Generally below 10 cents per gallon, they have climbed to as high as $1.10 earlier this month. They have since fallen to around 70 cents.

The price of credits has risen because cars are more fuel efficient and gas prices remain high. As a result, Americans are using less fuel than predicted. But mandates for the amount of ethanol that must be used are the same. So refiners are buying credits rather than boosting the concentration of ethanol above 10 percent.

Most automakers oppose the use of higher blends of ethanol in most vehicles, saying it could damage engines. Without higher blends, the U.S. will reach the "blend wall" this year and won't be able to meet the law's requirements, the oil industry says.

Under current mandates and current prices, that could add about $10 billion to the price of fuel this year.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, who chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, in a letter Thursday to the Environmental Protection Agency, asked it to look into price spikes in ethanol credits.

"American consumers saw gasoline prices climb over the last six months to their highest-ever autumn and wintertime levels," Wyden wrote. "Given that ethanol is an increasingly important factor in the cost and supply of motor fuel in the United States, it is critical that the committee have a better understanding" of the issue.

Oil companies want Congress to revise the mandate.

"Ethanol and other renewable fuels have an important role to play in increasing America's energy security … But the federal RFS (renewable fuel standard) is ill-conceived and irretrievably broken," said Bob Greco, an API official.

The Fuels America Coalition — a backer of ethanol — said the attacks are really about oil companies opposing competition.

"The oil industry has been complaining about the renewable fuel standard, yet they are the ones who failed to invest in the infrastructure necessary to avoid the compliance mechanism that has them up in arms," the group said. "Why are they buying compliance credits rather than lower-cost ethanol? Why are they blaming the renewable fuel industry for a so-called problem they themselves created?"

The House Energy and Commerce Committee said this week it will review the law. "It has been more than five years since the RFS was last revised, and we now have a wealth of actual implementation experience with it," the committee's Republican and Democratic leaders said.

Last year, the EPA rejected a request from eight governors and nearly 200 members of Congress to waive requirements for use of corn-based ethanol in gasoline, after last summer's severe drought wilted much of the nation's corn crop.

Automakers have clashed with ethanol advocates and opposed boosting the percentage of ethanol. They argue that higher concentrations of ethanol in gasoline — which may be necessary in order to meet stepped-up minimums for annual ethanol usage — can harm engines in most vehicles on the road today.

To use the ethanol required, the EPA has approved the use of a higher blend of ethanol fuel called E15 — which is 15 percent ethanol — up from E10 used at most pumps today. Just a handful of stations sell E15.

dshepardson@detroitnews.com

(202) 662-8735

posted 03-24-2013 05:39 PM                  

In a letter to the EPA, the two senators say fuel suppliers are having a progressively harder time buying enough credits, or RINs (Renewable Identification Number), from renewable fuel producers to keep up with federal mandates.

Central to the issue is the fact that prices for RINs have jumped higher than Superman on his best day. They are now worth more than a dollar a gallon, up from one cent a gallon (!) in December. With ethanol accounting for about 10 percent of gasoline, the RIN price jump translates to a 10-cent-a gallon increase in gas prices. Average fuel prices are up about 40 cents a gallon compared to December, to about $3.70 a gallon, according to AAA.

Other senators from ethanol producing states say the jump in RIN prices has less to do with demand or stiffening biofuel mandates and may have more to do with speculators playing the RIN market. Recently, a 12-year-sentence was handed down to a fraudster misrepresenting biodiesel RIN credits.

News Source: Reuters

posted 03-29-2013 02:02 PM                  

[Editor's Note: Jim O'Clair's recent post on zinc levels in modern oils led to a discussion in the office about the other fluids we put in our collector cars - particularly how those fluids have changed since the cars were new. In that spirit, we asked him to take a look at the technical aspects of ethanol in modern gasoline and how ethanol qffects older cars. This story is not meant to discuss the political implications of ethanol in gasoline, and we ask that anybody who comments on the story refrain from discussing politics. Thank you.]

Like it or not, ethanol in gas is here to stay. Although it does reduce pollution in our atmosphere, it can cause problems for many collector cars, boats, and older outdoor power equipment because of some of the side effects related to its use.

When people talk about ethanol in today’s pump gas, they’re referring to E10, which is a formulation that contains 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. Car manufacturers are now building engines that can run on 51 to 83 percent ethanol, which is often called E85 or flex fuel.
Ethanol is refined from grain alcohol; most specifically, corn, here in the United States; but it can also be made from switch grass, manure, willow trees, and even sugar cane in some countries.

The use of ethanol will only increase. Federal law mandates that the U.S. use 36 billion gallons of alternative fuel per year by 2022. By comparison, the United States used only 11 billion gallons in 2010, and the requirement in the law is that we ramp up to 15 billion gallons per year in 2015. The only way we would get there is to buy more gas – which is unlikely to happen, given the cost of a gallon these days – or increase the ethanol content in each gallon. Unless your car’s owner’s manual states specifically that it is an E85 or Flex Fuel vehicle (if you don’t know for sure, check the eighth digit of your VIN), you cannot use E85 fuels.

Pros of ethanol-supplemented fuel:
• Ethanol is clean-burning and is a higher-octane fuel than conventional gas.
• Ethanol is produced from renewable sources.
• Ethanol-powered vehicles produce lower carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions, and lower levels of hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions.
• Ethanol production keeps American farmers in business and creates new farming and ethanol-processing jobs.
• Because ethanol is produced domestically, it reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil and increases the nation’s energy independence.
• Ethanol needs fewer fossil (coal) and petroleum (gas) fuels to produce more BTU of energy than gasoline (although it does require much more water).

Cons of ethanol-supplemented fuel:
• Ethanol creates 34 percent less energy than unadulterated gasoline per gallon. This equals a loss in fuel economy of up to 3 miles per gallon for E10 fuels. In terms of heat, ethanol produces 76,330 BTU per gallon, whereas diesel fuel produces 128,450 BTU per gallon, gasoline 116,090 BTU per gallon and LP gas 84,950 BTU per gallon. The fuel economy gets even worse with E85, a loss of 7 to 8 miles per gallon with its higher ethanol content. Consumer Reports, testing in 2006, verified a loss in fuel economy of up to 30 percent in a Chevy Tahoe designed to run on flex fuel when it was tested with both unleaded gas and E85. Poor fuel economy can also be attributed to improper fuel system calibration based on computer feedback from oxygen sensors because of the temperatures needed to burn ethanol.
• Virtually any grain considered feedstock can be used to make ethanol, but some grains are better for producing ethanol than others. Corn happens to be one of the worst grains for making ethanol but we produce so much more of it than any other grain that it was the ingredient of choice for U.S. ethanol producers. In South America, ethanol is produced from sugar cane, which is easier to refine and gives a higher yield per acre than corn (1,200 gallons per acre vs. 300 gallons per acre of corn). The U.S. government did impose a 55 cents per gallon tariff to prevent the import of sugar cane-based ethanol into the United States, though that tariff has recently expired).
• Ethanol is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water more easily than gasoline. That leads to water condensation inside fuel tanks, carburetor fuel bowls and fuel lines where air spaces are present. Water content in fuel will also swell up the paper filter media inside fuel filters not specifically designed for flex fuels and can thus restrict fuel flow at the filter.
• Ethanol also erodes fiberglass tanks, rubber hoses and plastic fuel lines. It contributes to rust in fuel systems by creating condensation in the unfilled portion of gas tanks. It will also dissolve varnish and rust in steel fuel components. These dissolved ingredients sit in the bottom of gas tanks until they are removed or they will enter the fuel system if the fuel level in the tank gets too low.
So what is a classic car owner to do? Especially when their car is sitting unused in the garage more than it is on the road? It has been stated that you can counteract the poor fuel mileage by driving at a consistent speed of between 40 and 60 MPH but that doesn’t really apply to boats or classic cars that are parked or do not have cruise control in most cases.
Several recommendations of things you can do that should help come from OE marine manufacturers who have been battling these ethanol-related fuel problems:
• Replace any plastic or rubber fuel lines with ethanol-resistant hose or nylon tubing.
• Install a water separator filter in the fuel line leading to the carburetor. Water collects in the filter and can be removed periodically.
• Replace any fiberglass tanks with steel or aluminum.
• Ensure that any O-rings in the fuel system are also ethanol-compatible.
• Keep your tank as full as possible to prevent air space where condensation can form.
• Use specific ethanol-compatible fuel storage additives. These are normally blue in color. Regular fuel stabilizers will not work unless they are labeled ethanol fuel-compatible.
• Shop around for a marina or service station that does not pump E10 or E85. None of these stations will be affiliated with a major gasoline producer, but there are still some out there, especially in areas around lakes and rivers where boating is popular. You can find a “pure gas” map of many of these stations online at the Historic Vehicle Association website
• Vent your fuel system during storage for extended periods; the moisture your fuel system might absorb from the outside will be less than the moisture created in the air space inside.
• Use a fogging solution in your carburetor during storage to prevent condensation from collecting in fuel bowls.
• Use of isopropyl alcohol-based dry gas will help to absorb system moisture. Regular dry gas is ethanol-based and will only make the problem worse. Isopropyl-based additives actually combine with the water molecules and removing moisture through the combustion chamber.
• Use of a flex fuel-compatible fuel filter where possible will prevent degradation of the paper media in your filter by water in the fuel system.

posted 03-29-2013 04:17 PM                  

New regulations to be announced by the Environmental Protection Agency Friday are set to push the already-high price of gas up by a further 9 cents a gallon, petroleum industry experts are warning.

“There is a tsunami of federal regulations coming out of the EPA that could put upward pressure on gasoline prices. EPA’s proposed fuel regulations are the latest example,” Bob Greco, director of the American Petroleum Institute Downstream Group, told Newsmax.

The regulations, aimed at reducing the amount of sulfur emissions, will add as much as 9 cents, according to industry experts, although the administration insisted the cost at the pump would be lower.

The Washington Post quoted a senior administration official saying the new standards would cost less than a penny a gallon and have the same environmental impact as taking 33 million cars off the road.

Congressional Republicans lashed out at the new regulations.

“The Obama administration cannot be more out of touch,” GOP Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky, chairman of a House Energy subcommittee, told Newsmax. “With hard-pressed families already struggling to afford each fill-up, Congress needs to take a hard look at any new EPA regulation that may raise the price at the pump.

“This is just another example of an overzealous EPA,” Whitfield said.

The EPA says the rules are needed because high sulfur content reduces the effectiveness of catalytic converters, causing more emissions to be released into the air.

The EPA rule will force 49 states to follow regulations already in place in California that set stricter standards on gasoline’s sulfur content. Currently, states can have 30 parts of sulfur per million, but the new rules will lower it further to 10 parts.

The industry has already cut sulfur content by 90 percent in recent years, from 300 parts per million to 30 parts, at a cost of $10 billion, Charles Drevna, president of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, told The New York Times.

The new rules would cost another $10 billion, Drevna claimed.

The Petroleum Institute’s Greco told Newsmax, “Our government should not be adding unnecessary regulations that raise manufacturing costs, especially when there are no proven environmental benefits.

“We should not pile on new regulations when existing regulations are working,” he added.

Greco said the new rules would increase greenhouse gas emissions because of the “energy-intensive equipment required to comply.”

Republican House Energy Committee Chairman Fred Upton of Michigan said the move was another example of the Obama administration’s misguided energy policy.

“Instead of raising gas prices, the Obama administration should focus on bringing stability and greater supplies to our energy markets by green-lighting projects like the Keystone XL pipeline, which will bring approximately 1 million barrels per day of oil from a close ally to the United States,” Upton told Newsmax.

posted 04-13-2013 08:20 AM                  

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and a bipartisan group of legislators introduced two bills.

The first would repeal the U.S. ethanol mandate and the second would revise the definition of renewable fuels to include only advanced biofuels and exclude corn-based ethanol, Goodlatte's office said.

The Renewable Fuels Standard passed in 2007 started out with good intentions and turned out to be a "very dumb" idea, said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. He also said the mandate has raised costs for dairy farmers in his state.

Ethanol advocates including Jeff Broin, chairman of Poet LLC, blamed the oil industry for the new attempt to repeal the RFS, which requires the U.S. to use 13.8 billion gallons of ethanol this year and 15 billion gallons by 2015.

Broin described the legislation as a desperate "Hail Mary" attempt by oil companies to eliminate a competitive fuel.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the American Petroleum Institute, which both represent Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., released statements supporting the legislation.

Ethanol, petroleum and food interests have argued about the impact of the RFS, which calls for escalating amounts of the fuel to be used, on grocery and fuel costs.
The mandate was part of U.S. energy plans to reduce dependence on foreign sources of crude oil.

posted 04-18-2013 10:11 AM                  

I distribute their products, but no fan of big oil. But they shouldn't be a target for every state/city who has a budget issue.

Why does this fit here in discussion of E10-E15? Because ethanol is also an oxigenate that can be used as an additive to comply with Clean Air Act. Farm lobby got this in.

posted 04-18-2013 10:29 AM                  

I guess that this is one of those you're screwed if you don't and screwed if you do.

posted 05-16-2013 04:05 PM                  

If you haven’t noticed by now, most gasoline sold in the United States now contains ethanol. In fact, more than 90% of all gasoline contains up to 10% ethanol. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated that ethanol usage in fuel increase from nine billion gallons per year in 2008 to just less than 14 billion gallons in 2013. The mandate is part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The principle behind the laws was well-intentioned but potentially misplaced—increasing our usage of renewable energy while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

Year after year, the annual ethanol targets are scheduled to continually rise until we reach 36 billion gallons in 2022. Most of our consumption today is accomplished through the current E10 fuel (90% gasoline, 10% ethanol) commonly found at the pump. Alternatives, such as E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) for “flex-fuel” vehicles exist as well, but are harder to find in most areas and therefore do not make up the majority of the ethanol usage. It is important to note that gas pump labels for E10 and below are subject to state law. Since a number of states, such as California, don’t require a label, motorists may not be aware that they are putting ethanol in their tank.

Ethanol, as a fuel, has its share of advantages. For example, it can be produced from domestically grown corn or other biofuels that is raised by our own farmers. It can also carry a higher octane rating, assuming it has not been contaminated by absorbing water. For the modern performance enthusiast, E85 has become a popular low-budget race fuel for everything from supercharged modern muscle to turbocharged import vehicles. Some enthusiasts can even be found carrying spare plastic fuel tanks in the back of their vehicles to extend their range between visiting the limited stations that carry E85 fuel. It would seem that a market like ours, with such an emphasis on performance, would welcome ethanol with open arms.

The reality is that there are all types of vehicles and equipment that require pure gasoline. Many were designed long before chemicals, such as ethanol, had been considered during the design and validation processes. Critical components, such as engine seals, gaskets, fuel lines and most internal components, were once tortured on engine dynamometers, scorched in hot weather tests and designed assuming nothing less than 100% gasoline would be cycled through the engine during normal operation. As you can imagine, introducing a new fuel into service can bring a new share of unexpected problems. To start, ethanol is hydroscopic, which means it attracts moisture, which leads to increased levels of water in the fuel system. The current E10 blend has the ability to absorb 0.5% volume before reaching a point where water will actually accumulate outside of the fuel mixture (called phase separation). For a 15-gallon fuel tank, that is about 1.2 cups of water that can be introduced into the fuel and supporting systems. This water formation can lead to metal corrosion and the deterioration of plastics and rubber.
The corrosion issue is most detrimental in carbureted vehicles, which include hot rods, musclecars and a large number of production vehicles. Many of the critical components of a carburetor, such as the main body and float bowls, are die cast from aluminum or zinc. When these materials are exposed to ethanol or the water often contained within ethanol, they create a corrosive combination that can lead to carburetor malfunction and potential failure. In addition, the extra moisture that is introduced into the fuel can lead to buildup or “sludge” that can clog the precision internals of a carburetor responsible for proper fuel delivery. Outside of carburetors, the materials that are commonly used to manufacture gaskets, seals and fuel lines are not consistently manufactured with ethanol-resistant fluorinated polymers. After prolonged exposure to ethanol, these materials can deteriorate, clog fuel filters and result in dangerous fuel leaks.

Today, the EPA and ethanol producers are pushing to allow a 50% increase in ethanol content in gasoline by introducing E15 to more markets. The reason is simple—to meet the federal law’s ever-growing demand for renewable fuels—a demand that cannot be met by E10.

SEMA’s Government Affairs Office is working hard to protect unsuspecting motorists and companies that produce their vehicles and equipment. SEMA is asking that E15 be banned at this time and that the federal law’s renewable fuel mandates be adjusted to reasonable numbers that can be achieved in a free marketplace. Without such a change, E20 and E30 will be the next fuels being pumped into gas tanks.

Need more information? Visit the SEMA Government Affairs homepage to stay up to date. This is one trend that shouldn’t be ignored.

posted 05-17-2013 10:25 AM                  

Daniel Strohl at 8:59 am

Less than a year after it approved the sale of E15 – a mixture of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline – the EPA has begun to suggest doubling that percentage despite concerns about the existing levels of ethanol in fuel.

As reported by the New York Times earlier this month, the EPA’s proposal of E30 came buried deep in a report released in March about sulfur levels in fuel. The proposal calls not only for increasing the percentage of ethanol in fuel to 30 percent, but also for pushing car manufacturers to tune their engines with higher compression ratios to better burn E30. As the Times pointed out, the proposal is designed as much to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy as it is to engineer support for more ethanol in fuel.

“You make the dog like the dog food,” William H. Woebkenberg, a senior engineer for fuels policy for Mercedes-Benz, told the Times.

The ethanol industry has been promoting E30 at least since 2007, describing it as an optimal blend for fuel economy. However, beyond concerns from the automakers and AAA that the engines in new cars aren’t designed to run on blends much higher than 10 percent, collector car owners who use the same fuel have noted that the ethanol can actually damage their vehicles.

The EPA approved the sale of E15 last June, but two pieces of legislation introduced in Congress earlier this year – House Bill 875 and Senate Bill 344 – asked the EPA to suspend the sale of E15 until the fuel could be studied further. Both of those bills remain in committee.
Meanwhile, at least a couple of state legislatures have expressed misgivings about ethanol content in fuel. Earlier this month, Maine’s lawmakers voted to ban any ethanol-blended fuel as long as at least two other New England states also banned it, citing potential damage as a result of its use along with the impact of ethanol fuel’s use on food supplies. (The two-other-states provision was included to ensure a large enough supply of non-ethanol fuel from regional refineries.) As the Bangor Daily News reported, the vote came on the heels of a similar bill that Maine’s governor signed earlier this month banning fuel with ethanol content greater than 10 percent. In each of the last two years, New Hampshire’s state legislature passed a bill banning all ethanol-blended fuels, but the bill did not become law.

posted 05-20-2013 07:10 AM                  

Had a somewhat hard time with some congressmen on taking time to discuss these issues due to all the time they are taking due to the recent scandals.

General thought -
E10 will stay & E15 will be blocked as long as Republicans hold at least one branch.
There is little traction on E15. Most Senators and Congressmen we spoke with think the EPA is much like the IRS in that they overstep their authority, but the farm lobby yields tremendous leverage. They pit stuggling small farmers vs. big oil in the E10/E15 battle, when it is really agri-business vs. consumer.

posted 06-11-2013 07:07 AM                  

Protect Yourself: Ethanol Is Killing Your Carburetor

It is generally accepted in the engine industry that Ethanol is bad, but what does bad really mean? Most enthusiasts have heard of the storage issues related to Ethanol blended fuels, but what is the best course of action concerning these issues? Do Ethanol additives help the problem? Recently, even the mainstream media has picked up on this growing problem such as this article that was recently posted on FoxNews.com. Let’s address each of the issues one by one, and present some viable options for dealing with these issues.

Ethanol is hygroscopic. No, that is not some foot fungus. It means that Ethanol likes water. That is a great quality when you order on scotch on the rocks. However, water makes for a pretty lousy fuel.

During periods of extended storage, Ethanol tends to draw in atmospheric moisture which can lead to a build-up of water in your fuel cell or container. Because the density of water is greater than gasoline, the Ethanol/Water mixture separates from the gasoline and settles to the bottom of the fuel cell. Industry refers to this as Phase Separation, and because the pick-up is located on the bottom of the fuel cell, the first thing sucked up when you try to crank the engine is the Ethanol/Water mixture.
Not only will this cause your lawn mower not to start in the Spring, it will also pump a corrosive cocktail through your engine, and since some of that water/Ethanol cocktail ends up in your crankcase, your motor oil is not very happy either.

Speaking of corrosion, many people do not realize that Ethanol is not transported in the pipelines with gasoline. The ethanol is added later just prior to delivery to your local gas station. You see, ethanol is very corrosive, so the pipeline companies don’t want the Ethanol eating the pipelines.

Which leads us to our next issue, fuel system corrosion. While modern fuel injection engines feature materials compatible with Ethanol, Carburetors are made from alloys of Zinc and Aluminum, both of which are susceptible to corrosive properties of Ethanol. Many carburetor rebuilders have reported seeing “white” deposits inside the Carburetors, and detailed laboratory analysis confirmed that these deposits are result of corrosion from Ethanol blended fuels. The greater the ethanol concentration the worse the problem, and periods of extended storage only worsen the problem. In fact the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory warns against the use of Zinc or Aluminum with Ethanol. Additives designed to help prevent Phase Separation generally contain Alcohol which can make the corrosion problem worse.

If the Ethanol was not bad enough, the water that comes along for the ride just adds to the corrosion problem. The moisture that passes through the fuel system and ends up in the crankcase can lead to rust inside the engine, and water depletes to additives in your motor oil that are designed to prevent rust and wear – a very negative 2 for 1 deal.
The negatives effects from Ethanol on your fuel system don’t end at corrosion. Because Ethanol is an alcohol, ethanol dries out the rubber components in your fuel system. This leads to cracking and brittle fuel lines, floats, seals and diaphragms. Obviously, leaky fuel lines are a safety hazard.

These material compatibility issues are even worse for small engines. The Carburetors on a typical small engine, like your 2 stroke leaf blower, use a diaphragm style fuel pump. The ethanol in the fuel causes the diaphragm to harden. The fuel pump stops working, and now your leaf blower won’t run.

So what do you do if using an ethanol free fuel is not viable option?

First, when switching to a high Ethanol content fuel, the fuel lines, fuel cell and other rubberized components must be replaced with materials that are compatible with high ethanol content fuels. All modern (since 2007) cars feature these upgraded materials that are compatible with Ethanol blended fuels (that is one of the special parts in a flex fuel vehicle).

If you have a carburetor, use a fuel additive, like Driven Carb Defender, that contains high grade corrosion inhibitors. A bottle of Carb Defender with every tank of fuel will protect your carburetor from corrosion and keep it free from deposits that can affect the performance of the carburetor. Another option is to purchase a new carburetor designed for Ethanol blended fuels. These new carbs utilize materials and coatings that resist the corrosive nature of the ethanol.

The other step to take regards storage. The best way to prevent phase separation is NOT adding another bottle of fuel stabilizer into your tank. A fuel additive with a corrosion inhibitor for your carburetor is all you need. The best way to prevent phase separation is by making sure the fuel cell is full when you put your vehicle, lawn mower or boat away in storage. With less “room to breathe” the fuel cell will not absorb enough moisture to cause phase separation. If the fuel cell can’t be stored full, the run it dry before putting it away for Winter storage. The fastest route to phase separation is a partially full tank of ethanol blended fuel allowed to breathe in atmospheric moisture.

Even if you follow all of these guidelines, Ethanol has one last curveball to throw at you – Vapor Pressure. Ethanol affects the nature of how gasoline evaporates, and that changes how the fuel system must be tuned. Because the ethanol content in pump fuels varies, the effect on vapor pressure varies, which means the performance qualities of the fuel varies from tank to tank.

Obviously, the best course of action is to use an Ethanol free fuel. However, these fuels are hard to find in metropolitan areas due to clean air regulations, and these fuels cost more. Fortunately, the worst side effects of ethanol can be dealt with by using the correct materials in the fuel system, taking care to use a corrosion inhibitor additive if you have a carburetor, and making sure the tank is full when you put away your vehicle, lawn mower or boat for the Winter.

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