AllSAFE, a group representing manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, marine manufacturers, small engine manufacturers as well as motorcycle and automobile manufacturers is warning us about E20. The group released a note stating that it might not be advisable to use mid-level ethanol blends, such as E20, with non-modified engines.

Currently, the EPA only allows a 10 percent maximum blend in "standard" gasoline (E10) at the pump. However the State of Minnesota and the Renewable Fuels Association released recently a feasibility study on upping that to a 20 percent blend in the state.

According to AllSAFE, more testing is needed to determine if E20 is really compatible for engines not originally designed for this fuel, as well as potential harm to catalysts, higher emissions and premature engine failure. AllSAFE also said that up to 240 million conventional vehicles and 100 million small engine products could be potentially affected by these blends. Only flexible fueled vehicles (FFVs) are designed, certified and warranted for use with ethanol blends greater than E10.

[Source: AllSAFE]

Over on the GMnext blog, Coleman Jones has posted a response to the recent push to go from E10 to E20 at regular gas pumps in Minnesota. Jones is the Manger of Biofuels Implementation at GM Powertrain. While GM has obviously been a huge proponent of the expanded use of ethanol, they are reluctant to endorse this move toward E20. Their concern has to do with durability over the long term. Vehicles sold as E85 capable have already gone through all the durability testing necessary to ensure that the engines, including the fuel system and exhaust system, will survive the long-term use of E20 and higher concentrations of ethanol. Non flex-fuel engines haven't gone through this kind of rigorous testing and a one year test of 40 vehicles isn't considered sufficient.

[Source: GMnext]

January 1st has brought the introduction of E20 fuel in Thailand. Ford is a great promoter of this fuel in Thailand as, since 2005, all the Focuses sold in that country are flex-fuel and can be run with E20. In order to make a big celebration, Ford Thailand gave away Baht 1020 (about $34) of E20 fuel to 100 Ford Focus customers at the PTT petrol station on the expressway in Bang Na area.
E20-compatible Focuses have a green leaf badge at the rear. Some 3.0-liter Escapes also are E20-compatible and carry the same badge.

[Source: Ford of Thailand]

There are many people that say you can get better mileage with ethanol and you can even use blends higher than E10 in non flex-fuel cars. While controversial and only proven in tests done by mechanics or culled from impressions from truckers, there are finally some government and university studies to back up these amazing claims. The American Coalition of Ethanol has details and results from a study co-sponsored by themselves and the U.S. Department of Energy and conducted by The University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and the Minnesota Center for Automotive Research (MnCAR).

They study was done with four 2007 model vehicles: a Toyota Camry, a Ford Fusion, and two Chevrolet Impalas (flex-fuel and non). The cars took the EPA Highway Fuel Economy Test (HWFET) on ethanol-gasoline blends and normal gasoline. The results found "fuel mixtures with more ethanol than E10 but less than E85 - can in some cases provide better fuel economy than regular unleaded gasoline, even in standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles." In fact, along with three out of four actually traveling further on ethanol, "all of the vehicles got better mileage with ethanol blends than the ethanol's energy content would predict." The study even showed there was no engine fault signs when normal cars used blends up to 65 percent.

These are initial results and there will be more studies but can you imagine a day when ethanol blended fuels (cellulosic, naturally) actually get better mileage than regular gas? Not in special flex-fuel cars but normal every day cars on the street right now? Imagine reducing the pollution levels in all cars by simply changing the fuel blends while saving money in the process? Dare I hope?

[Source: The American Coalition of Ethanol via Green Car Congress and tipster Nathan]

The Association of Oil Pipe Lines along with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration will study the effect of E10, E15 and E20 blends on corrosion and cracking of pipelines. The results of the $700,000 study is expected in 12 to 18 months and the goal of the study is to find out three main things: how much ethanol can be sent down existing pipelines, what changes need to be made to mitigate the damage from ethanol to the pipelines and what kinds of designs are needed to make a pipeline that can carry ethanol.

Brazil uses ethanol pipelines but the idea has not gained much traction in the US because of perceived problems with pipeline damage caused by ethanol. Plus, here in the U.S., there are plans for dedicated train lines that would transport ethanol, for example a $150 million project in Nebraska that could be complete in 2010 if it gets funding. The train pipeline would be made of three or four 95 to 125 car trains, could store 30 million gallons of ethanol and would shave about 9 cents a gallon off the cost ethanol for the plants. The price of ethanol has gone done 30 percent with an apparent glut in the market. How would an ethanol pipeline fare if the glut continues? "If there's no interest, that'll be the end of it," Kirk McClymont of Seminole Energy Services of Tulsa, the company behind the plan, told Businessweek.

[Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine, Associated Press]

Sen. John Thune, the Republican who ousted Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004, says it's time for all gas pumps to offer E20 blends.

Right now, E10 is the standard; that is, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. Thune wants a jump to 20 percent ethanol mix to "grow the industry." He sent a letter to the EPA requesting the agency to certify a 20 percent blend for use in conventional engines. The EPA will study the request. It's already studying a proposal from Minnesota to offer 20 percent blends throughout the state by 2012.

Ethanol is also available in an E85 blend, but that formula is compatible in only a few vehicles. E85 accounts for about one percent of all ethanol sales.

The EPA is charged with proving that E20 doesn't harm engines or air quality. I also hope the agency conducts thorough tests on fuel economy as well. I certainly don't want to pay for more expensive fuel that isn't as potent.

[Source: Ben Shouse / Sioux Falls Argus Leader]

Those little stickers announcing that the fuel you're about to put into your tank contains up to 10 percent ethanol are getting pretty ubiquitous, aren't they? But pumps that can dispense E20 or E30 are less common, and they may never take off because the EPA is worried that the higher ethanol content in the fuel can damage cars that are not equipped to deal with the biofuel. Since these "blender pumps" operate the same way as standard gasoline pumps and customers might inadvertently put them in non-E85 ready vehicles, the EPA is stepping in to stop them from operating in some areas, like South Dakota. The EPA is researching whether 20 or 30 percent ethanol-blended gasoline meets Clear Air Act standards and how it affects engines.

E30 is very popular with some customers. Rick Pigors, manager at the Farmers Union Co-op, where standard gasoline, E85 and E30 is currently available, told the Aberdeen News that if the EPA shuts the E30 pump down, he expects people will put standard gasoline and E85 into their tanks to arrive at a mix of about E30. It's not precise, but it's what his customers want.

[Source: Aberdeen News via Domestic Fuel]