Study: 20 percent ethanol works fine in most vehicles

By Journal staff | Sunday, March 09, 2008

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Increasing the amount of ethanol in gasoline from 10 percent to 20 percent doesn't cause problems for current vehicles and provides similar power and performance, according to a new study by two Minnesota universities.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the study released this week by the state of Minnesota and the Renewable Fuels Association should help persuade the federal government to allow the use of 20 percent ethanol in non-flex fuel vehicles.

The study was conducted at Minnesota State University Mankato and the University of Minnesota, with cooperation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Renewable Fuels Association.

Among the findings, according to a news release from Thune's office:

n A blend of 20 percent ethanol does not present problems for current automotive or fuel-dispensing equipment.

n E20 provided power and performance similar to E10.

n The study found no barriers to moving forward with future tests to certify E20 as a federally-approved fuel.

Currently, federal regulations require that ethanol blends higher than 10 percent must be used only in flex fuel vehicles, although motorists in South Dakota report using E20 and higher blends in non-flex fuel vehicles without experiencing problems.

"The ethanol industry is quickly expanding, and by the end of 2008, will be producing approximately 13 billion gallons of ethanol, which is nearly 10 percent of our nation's gasoline supply," Thune said. "It is critical that the federal government act soon to approve higher blends of ethanol and ensure that market demand keeps pace with future ethanol production."

Thune said the study would help federal regulators as they consider approving higher blends of ethanol such as E20 for non-flex fuel vehicles. "By increasing the blend of ethanol, consumers get more choices at the pump, we reduce dependence on foreign oil, and we lay the groundwork to build our domestic ethanol industry for years to come," Thune said.

For the past year, Thune has been working with the ethanol industry and the Bush administration to approve higher blends of ethanol for non-flex fuel vehicles.

Thune and other senators recently wrote to President Bush, asking him to direct the federal government to study and approve higher blends of ethanol.

In addition, Thune inserted into the Senate version of the new farm bill a resolution directing federal agencies to approve higher blends of ethanol soon.

Canyon Lake Gas and Auto, a Rapid City gas station, has offered E85 for several years and began offering E20 about a year ago.

Station owner Dave Gaudette said he has customers who are putting E20 into their non-flex fuel vehicles and report no problems. In fact, his customers say they like the E20 better than E10, Gaudette said in an interview.

Doug Sombke of Conde, president of South Dakota Farmers Union, said he has experimented on his farm with various ethanol blends and found that a 30 percent ethanol blend gave him the most power and the best mileage.

The Minnesota study did not include scientific mileage comparisons between E10 and E20.

The state of Minnesota will soon complete emissions testing on E20 fuel. After those tests are complete, the emissions data and the results of the compatibility testing can be presented to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval, Thune said.

Minnesota state law requires that by August 2013, all gas sold in Minnesota will be E20. Currently, it must be E10, according to The Associated Press. Nevertheless, the state will need federal approval.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty presented the study Wednesday at a renewable-energy conference in Washington.

The full study can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us.