Autoblog

AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales

Zach Bowman — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST

AAA has released a statement urging government regulators to postpone the sale of E15 gasoline until more consumers can be educated on the fuel. According to the organization, 95 percent of drivers polled have never heard of the fuel, which is a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent traditional gasoline. What's more, AAA points out that only around 12 million of the 240 million light duty vehicles on the road today are approved for E15, including 2001 and newer Porsche models, 2012 and newer GM cars and trucks and 2013 Ford products, and that using the fuel in many vehicles could void their warranties.

Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency mandated pump stickers say the fuel is safe for virtually all vehicles 2001 or newer, but AAA experts warn that using E15 in older vehicles "could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure."

The warning joins the chorus of opposition against the E15 roll out, including governors of states with heavy poultry farming. Farmers warn the year's weak corn crop is too thin to meet demand of both livestock and ethanol production, with a reported 40 percent of the year's corn destined to become fuel.

The ethanol industry has responded by saying the Department of Energy has done extensive testing on E15 by logging more than six million miles on the fuel. The DOE found "no statistically significant loss of vehicle performance (emissions, fuel economy and maintenance issues), attributable to the use of E15."

You can view the full AAA press release below for more information.

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AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How this summer's drought might affect your car's gasoline

Chris Tutor — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

In 2007, then-president George Bush signed a law that required increased production of ethanol. Swelling ethanol demand for fuel combined with this past summer's drought has driven the price of corn (used to make ethanol) up. In fact, prices have swollen some 400 percent in the last seven years. That's comforting for corn growers, who are dealing with much smaller yields than normal. But it's not comforting for livestock producers, poultry farmers and grocery shoppers.

Under the law, the amount of ethanol used in gasoline is supposed to increase to 15.2 billion gallons this year, up from five billion in 2007. The Environmental Protection Agency can decide to delay the increase, however, and it has until Tuesday to consider the circumstances. According to The Detroit News, governors from eight states have asked the EPA to waive the ethanol requirements to prevent corn prices from going any higher. They join almost 200 members of Congress, top United Nations officials, two dozen scientists and scores of poultry farmers in opposing the boost in ethanol production. Governors of poultry-producing states Maryland and Delaware say without a waiver, thousands of jobs could be lost.

On the other side are corn-producing states and the farmers who live there. They argue a waiver would harm their agricultural income and, in turn, harm their state economies.

If a waiver is granted, gas formulations might not be affected at all. E10 gasoline (10-percent ethanol) would still be sold at fuel stations across the nation, but an increase in ethanol production would be delayed. If a waiver is not granted, corn growers will see a demand in their product. And since all that new ethanol has to go somewhere, drivers may see more pumps serving ~~E20~~ E15 gasoline (20 15-percent ethanol) which cannot be used in pre-2001 vehicles.

How this summer's drought might affect your car's gasoline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA officially approves E15 for sale in U.S.

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Putting E15 (a mix of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline) on sale in the U.S. has been all but official since April, when the Environmental Protection Agency approved the first applications to make E15. Now, "all but official" has become official, with the EPA giving approval for retailers to start selling the biofuel. Just because stations can, though, doesn't mean that drivers will be able to get E15 right away. It will take time for the increased biofuel blend, made from corn ethanol, to make it to market, even though most gasoline sold at pumps across the U.S. today is E10.

Also unsurprisingly, there remain critics of the shift to making E15 available. The EPA, which doesn't require any fuel station to sell anything in particular, admits that E15 should only be used in model year 2001 and newer vehicles. In response to the sales approval, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute released a statement calling E15 "dangerous" and that it might "destroy or damage generators, chain saws, utility vehicles, lawn mowers, boats and marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, and more." The EPA does not approve using E15 in these sorts of devices.

Read more on the E15 discussion here, here and here, and feel free to peruse the press release below.

Continue reading EPA officially approves E15 for sale in U.S.

EPA officially approves E15 for sale in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

As predicted and expected, the Environmental Protection Agency today approved the first applications to make E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol in it. This means that E15 is now a "significant step" closer to production and sale in America.

For decades, gasoline in the U.S. has had up to 10 percent ethanol in it, but the extra five points were enough to generate resistance. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the Science Committee in the House of Representatives both took steps to prevent E15 from entering the national supply. Even the EPA admits not every vehicle should use the new blend, saying it is approved only for Model Year 2001 vehicles and newer.

Many automakers have been hesitant about E15, fearing fuel system and engine damage, so a number of them joined a lawsuit against it in 2010 through the Auto Alliance. Some have even gone so far as to say that any older vehicles that use E15 will have their warranties voided. The EPA's rules say that any pump dispensing E15 must be clearly labeled. The EPA is not requiring any station to sell E15 in any way, but the Obama Administration does want to encourage its use, and thus wants to help get 10,000 blender pumps installed in the U.S. over the next 5 years.

In late 2011, the U.S. Congress ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol while also stopping tariffs on ethanol imported from Brazil. Since 1980, the ethanol industry has received an estimated $45 billion in subsidies. Check out the official EPA press release for further details after the jump.

Continue reading EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications

EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House panel blocks sale of E15

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

The Science Committee in the House of Representatives has a approved a bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from allowing the use of gasoline with a higher ethanol content without additional study.

According to The Detroit News, the bill was sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin and passed 19-7 along party lines after numerous groups spoke out against E15. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, the Friends of the Earth, the Milk Producers Council, the American Bakers Association and the National Turkey Federation all pushed for further E15 study.

Last year, the government estimated more domestic corn was used for ethanol than to feed farm animals, and opponents of ethanol argue E15 would only lead to steeper food prices across the country.

Congress just recently ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol and put a stop to tariffs on the fuel imported from Brazil. The subsidy alone reportedly cost taxpayers $6 billion annually. All told, Congress has awarded the ethanol industry $45 billion in subsidies since 1980.

House panel blocks sale of E15 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E15 not coming to gas stations anytime soon

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially issuing its finalized E15 (gasoline with 15-percent ethanol content) warning label, there's widespread belief that the recently approved biofuel will be coming to gasoline stations soon. Well, it seems that's not likely to be the case. In fact, it won't take place for at least a year.

The Government Accountability Office says that health, safety, cost and environmental concerns will probably keep E15 away from the pumps for more than one year. The GOA claims that nozzles, underground storage tanks and other fuel-dispensing equipment will need to be evaluated prior to E15's arrival. The concern is that leakage, which isn't an issue with E10, could suddenly become a problem with E15.

The GAO continues by claiming that some fuel stations may have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to upgrade equipment in preparation for the arrival of E15. There is also the matter of an ongoing lawsuit that sees automakers trying to overturn the EPA's approval of the blended fuel along with a promise to void the warranties of vehicles with E15 found in their tanks. We'd guess E15 has a very long road ahead of it...

E15 not coming to gas stations anytime soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automakers to void warranties on older cars burning E15 gas

Zach Bowman — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Fuel with a 15 percent concentration of ethanol is headed to America's pumps soon and buyers with older vehicles may want to steer clear. Pumps dispensing E15 will be identified by a large orange sticker and the fuel is only approved for use in vehicles that are from the 2001 model year or newer.

Using the 85-percent gasoline mix in older cars, lawnmowers or boats is prohibited by law because the fuel may cause damage to vehicle systems. That's pretty rough, but according to Consumer Reports, that's still not enough for many car companies. According to the institute, nine automakers thus far have made it clear that they won't honor warranties of older vehicles found to be running E15 through their systems. Toyota, General Motors and Chrysler are all among those manufacturers.

There are other hurdles to E15 acceptance, too. If fuel stations need to provide E10 for older vehicles and E15 for those built after 2001, they'll need an additional storage tank for the new fuel. That can be prohibitively expensive, which means that it may simply be easier for older stations to skip E15 all together.

Automakers to void warranties on older cars burning E15 gas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senate approves amendment to end ethanol subsidies

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

Just days ago, we reported that the United States Senate rejected an amendment that would have put an end to the the $6 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for producers of corn-based ethanol. Now, we're here to convey the message that the Senate actually approved the amendment. Was our initial report inaccurate? Um, no.

On Thursday, the Senate approved an amendment that could wipe out billions of dollars earmarked for the ethanol industry by voting 73-in-favor, 27-against. The amendment, if passed into law, will eliminate the 45-cent-a-gallon subsidy that the U.S. government hands out to producers of the corn-based fuel. The ethanol-related amendment that passed on Thursday will be tacked on to an economic development bill, which will likely face a tough battle in the Senate.

Turning our attention back to that failed amendment on Tuesday, though similar, it's not identical to amendment that passed through the Senate on Thursday.

On a related note, the House of Representatives voted 283-in favor, 128-against to ban the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from dishing out funds to support the installation of E85 pumps at gas stations across the U.S.

Senate approves amendment to end ethanol subsidies originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senate shoots down proposal to end ethanol subsidies

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Earlier today, the United States Senate rejected an amendment that would have put an end to the $6 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for producers of corn-based ethanol.

Introduced by Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), the amendment was unable to martial the 60 votes needed to end debate in the Senate, failing in a 40-in-favor, 59-against procedural vote as members of both parties joined in opposition to the measure.

Coburn, considered by most as a conservative Republican, framed the elimination of ethanol subsidies as a way to slash the nation's deficit. Coburn stated:

Eliminating the ethanol tax earmark and tariff would be a big step toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington. Ethanol is bad economic policy, bad energy policy and bad environmental policy.

On Coburn's side were environmental advocates who have long questioned the ecological benefit of ethanol, claiming that it simply takes too much energy to produce the corn-based fuel.

In opposition stood the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a group headed by conservative Grover Norquist. The ATR lobbied against the amendment on grounds that the elimination of a tax break should only be considered if it's offset by tax cuts.

The federal ethanol tax subsidy, currently at 45 cents a gallon, is set to expire on December 31, 2011. This failed amendment would have put an end to the subsidy almost immediately.

Senate shoots down proposal to end ethanol subsidies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: House votes 'overwhelmingly' to block E15 fuel

Zach Bowman — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

According to The Detroit News, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to block the Environmental Protection Agency from moving toward a higher blend of ethanol in America's gasoline. Representatives voted 286-135 against allowing the EPA to issue a waiver that would allow gas stations to sell E15. Currently, fueling stations are only allowed to sell E10, which contains up to 10 percent of the biofuel. The new legislation would allow a 50-percent increase in the amount of ethanol sold in each gallon of gasoline. Representative John Sullivan (R-Oklahoma) attached an amendment to the bill to provide funding for the U.S. government through September, effectively killing the legislation.

While The Renewable Fuels Association criticized the decision to stop the E15 waiver, several groups were thoroughly against the increase in ethanol. Those include everyone from the Specialty Equipment Market Association to the American Bakers Association.

The EPA has already approved E15 for vehicles made after 2001, but some groups worry that a higher blend across the board could wind up corroding older engines. Meanwhile, proponents of the increase claim that larger ethanol quantities will help lower America's dependence on foreign oil.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: House votes 'overwhelmingly' to block E15 fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Detroit carmakers join lawsuit against EPA looking to overturn E15 approval

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:31:00 EST

The fight against E15 is heating up as a group of automakers have joined together to file a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to make available higher blends of ethanol for newer vehicles.

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler represent Detroit as part of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which also includes Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, BMW, Toyota, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Volvo. The Auto Alliance is now part of a lawsuit that includes the International Automobile Manufacturers, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.

The groups are looking to overturn the EPA's decision to grant a partial waiver for E15. Besides the environmental and possible vehicular effects that E15 can cause, the idea that the EPA can even grant a partial waiver is also being questioned. Thanks for the tip, Jesse!

[Source: Detroit News - sub. req.]

Report: Detroit carmakers join lawsuit against EPA looking to overturn E15 approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA delays decision on E15 use in 2001-2006 model-year vehicles

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

When the EPA approved the use of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol content (E15) for model year 2007 and newer vehicles in mid-October, critics immediately chimed in with a wave of concerns. Some argued that drivers would have a difficult time discerning which fuel to pump into their vehicles, while other were concerned that insufficient testing had been conducted by the EPA and urged retailers to limit the sale of E15 to flex fuel vehicles only. For nearly two years, the E15 battle has waged on, with supporters convinced that increased ethanol content would be suitable for all autos and opponents demanding more tests.

The E15 battle is far from over. The EPA's next move is determining whether or not the gasoline-ethanol blended fuel is acceptable for 2001 to 2006 model-year vehicles. The EPA's decision was initially expected to come in December, but due to some mechanical failures in test vehicles unrelated to the fueling system, the Energy Department will require more time to analyze E15 use in older vehicles and the EPA will be forced to push back its decision until January.

[Source: Reuters]

EPA delays decision on E15 use in 2001-2006 model-year vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: EPA sued by food and farm groups over E15 fuel approval

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:03:00 EST

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the use of E15, a 15-percent ethanol and 85-percent gasoline blend, in vehicles from model year 2007 and newer. Now, nine food and farm groups, along with the American Petroleum Institute, are suing the EPA over this decision. According to the two lawsuits filed, the use of E15 in cars, SUVs and light trucks violates the Clean Air Act. API's Bob Greco says testing on the safety of E15 being conducted by Department of Energy and automakers is not yet complete, therefore the ruling "puts consumers at risk." EPA Deputy Press Secretary Betsaida Alcantara tells Green Car Advisor:

[The] decision was based on strict adherence to the Clean Air Act and was grounded firmly in science. The agency relied on rigorous testing that the Energy Department did on 19 car models, in consultation with automakers and fuel suppliers. This decision is sound, and the agency is confident that it will withstand legal challenge.

Results of studies conducted by the DOE on whether the new blend will be approved for use in 2001 through 2006 model year vehicles are expected later this month. Also opposed to the change from E10 to E15 are major motorcycle, auto and gasoline-powered off-road vehicle manufacturers who are worried that the additional ethanol may cause damage to parts made from plastic, rubber and metal in fuel systems in older vehicles, as well as in engines not made for ethanol use.

[Source: Edmunds | Image: drewzhrodague - C.C. License 2.0]

Report: EPA sued by food and farm groups over E15 fuel approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA says E15 is ready for prime time... and your new-ish car

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

A little number on your friendly local gas station pump might be about to change. Instead of 10 percent (E10), America's national gasoline supply can now contain a blend of fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) following an announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency today. The caveat, for now, is that this fuel is only to be used in cars built since 2007.

So, that means that there could easily be five liquid fuels at a single gas station: ethanol-free gasoline, E10, E15, E85 and diesel - and this isn't counting different octane blends of "standard" gas. It also means that some gas station owners are saying they're not too interested in adding E15 pumps right now. USA Today says it is likely the EPA will approve E15 for older vehicles after more tests are conducted this month. The USDA - which cares because so much domestically grown corn is used to make the ethanol - and the ethanol industry support the EPA's decision. The CEO of ethanol company Poet, Jeff Broin, said in a statement that:

The arguments being made right now against E15 are the same as those made about E10 back in the late 1980s, when I entered the ethanol industry. Seventy billion gallons later, we have proven those arguments false, just as research on E15 is proving critics wrong today.

For the past 18 months or so, the E10/E15 story has been hard-fought on both sides, with supporters for the increased biofuel content saying that the fuel will be fine in most any vehicles on the road today and opponents saying there needs to be more testing because of warranty concerns. The Renewable Fuels Association took a particularly strong stand. Feel free to read more from some of the parties involved after the break.

[Source: USA Today, USDA | | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading EPA says E15 is ready for prime time... and your new-ish car

EPA says E15 is ready for prime time... and your new-ish car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA postpones decision on E15 ethanol blend

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:58:00 EST

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs the amount of ethanol usedd in gasoline. The current standard blend stands at ten percent (E10). With farmers wielding pitchforks in anger, the EPA agreed to consider raising the ethanol blend to 15 percent (E15), a move that would avoid hitting the blend wall. As Green Car Advisor reports, the time to decide whether to move to E15 has come, but once again, the EPA has postponed, saying that more testing is needed before a final decision can be made.

The agency wants to further test the possible side effects of running an E15 blend in modern vehicles. Reports have surfaced claiming that E15 could ultimately damage engines, and the EPA understandably doesn't want to make a choice that could potentially leave drivers stranded.

When will the EPA make the final call on E15? The decision was supposed to come last December, then it was moved to this June, but now, who knows?

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

EPA postpones decision on E15 ethanol blend originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

There is some ethanol in almost all of the gasoline sold in the U.S. Usually, this amount is no more than 10 percent of the total and, if it's more than that, it jumps all the way to 85 percent and is sold as E85. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was supposed to come down on one side or the other today of a possible increase across the board to 15 percent that Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers asked for, but instead announced that it needs more time.

The EPA has been looking at the E15 issue all year and investigating all sorts of issues, but there are a lot of moving parts in this sort of decision. Everyone from farmers and their subsidies to grow the corn used to make most of the ethanol sold today to car makers who have tuned their engines to run on E10 but not E15 want to have their say. The EPA has heard the comments, and now says that it needs more time to test E15 in vehicles. Right now, it thinks that any vehicle built after 2001 will burn E15 just fine, but there are a lot of older vehicles still on the road. Cash For Clunkers didn't get all of them off the road, after all. A decision is now expected in mid-June 2010.

The postponement was met with approval by the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures, which said they want more government testing "to prove that increasing the allowable ethanol blend limit will not harm vehicle emissions, performance, and durability." Read their full statement after the jump.

[Source: Reuters, Auto Allliance | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars

Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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