US regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to delay a decision on the use of E15 for vehicle models 2001-‘06 until next month.
The fuel, a blend of 15 per cent ethanol and 85 per cent gasoline, was approved for vehicle models built from 2007 onwards in the United States last month (see story). But the Agency is currently waiting for the country’s Department of Environment (DOE) to complete testing on the fuel’s use in vehicles built in 2006 and earlier before confirming whether it will be given the approval.
The use of ethanol-blended fuels such as E15 has caused controversy in the US, not just for its potential environmental implications, but over reports that ethanol can negatively affect electric fuel pumps by increasing internal wear and cause undesirable spark generation. However other reports, including one from respected industry experts at Ricardo have countered those claims, Ricardo reported that it could find no ill-effects of using E15 on US vehicles dating from 1994-2000.
EPA originally stated that it would make a decision on the use of E15 for the 2001-‘06 models in November, however a need for extended testing at the DOE has delayed the EPA’s schedule.
According to Ethanol Producer Magazine, DOE is extending testing to ‘ensure the accuracy and completeness’ of the test data used by EPA to make its waiver decision. Some of the vehicles used in the initial tests have experienced mechanical failures which are reported to be unrelated to the fuel. These problems have been blamed on the age and high mileage of the vehicles.
DOE and EPA officials have confirmed that the additional testing will be complete by the end of December.
