Heads Up: Ethanol Content in Gas to Jump 50% by Year End

The Environmental Protection Agency has approved a controversial more to use E15 – a blend of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol. Gas at the pumps right now can contain up to 10 per cent ethanol. The new blend is only for use in vehicles starting from model year 2001 or vehicles designated as flex-fuel capable by the manufacturer.

The push for the higher blend of ethanol is, in part, due to the Energy Independence and Security Act, which mandated the use of 36 billion gallons of ethanol or other renewable fuels in the nation’s fuel supply by 2022. Ethanol interests contend that 2001 and newer cars now represent two thirds of the nation’s fleet and consume three quarters of all fuel.

Automakers, fuel distributors and other automotive interests have opposed the move since it was first proposed, citing compatibility issues and mis-fuelling potential, which the EPA has literally made a federal crime. Power equipment, such as lawn  mowers and chainsaws may not use the new blend, nor boats, motorcycles or other gasoline driven equipment nor specifically designed for the increased concentration of ethanol.

From a performance perspective, ethanol provides a lower energy content than gasoline, which reduces fuel mileage. From a high performance perspective, ethanol contains oxygen which means that the stoichiometric ratio is different from gasoline. High performance engine tunes, based on pump gas, may have to be revised in the future depending on how radical they were in the first place.

Still, amid all the technical arguments and special interest lobbying, one wonders how countries like Brazil have been getting along just fine on E25 (25% ethanol, 75% gasoline) since 2007.