SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 2, 2009 – As the U.S. seeks to implement higher renewable fuel volumes through 2022, Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company initiated and continue to participate in collaborative developments of testing criteria, through the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), to determine what impact, if any, mid-level ethanol/gasoline blends – beyond 10 percent ethanol/90 percent gasoline – would have on the millions of conventional gasoline vehicles already on the road or in production today.

Through USCAR’s Fuels Working Group, the U.S. automakers have identified test procedures supporting the U.S.’s work to implement increased use of ethanol and biofuels, as mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.  The Act requires the use of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels per year by 2022, with 21 billion coming from non-corn-based, or advanced biofuels.  Last year, the requirement was 9 billion gallons of renewable fuels, mandated to increase to 15.2 billion gallons in 2012. 

Although the U.S. automakers committed in 2006 to expand production of alternative fuel vehicles to 50 percent of production by 2012, (with the stipulation that an adequate refueling infrastructure is made available), the immediate challenge is to increase the consumption of renewable fuels by today’s automotive fleet.

Currently, regular gasoline sold at all 120,000-plus retailers across the United States may contain up to 10 percent ethanol.  E85, a gasoline blend of up to 85 percent ethanol, is also distributed by more than 2,100 U.S. gas stations for use in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are engineered specifically to run on the renewable fuel.

Growing the number of gasoline retailers with E85 pumps would be an obvious choice for increasing ethanol use in FFVs.  However, the current lack of sufficient E85 fueling stations has given rise to other creative possibilities, including raising the percentage of ethanol used in regular gasoline beyond its current 10 percent cap to create ‘mid-level blends’ for conventional vehicles.

The main concern is no one knows exactly what effects mid-level blends might have on the millions of conventional or ‘legacy’ vehicles already on the road.  Some evidence suggests higher levels of ethanol used in conventional gasoline powertrains may lead to the corrosion of fuel systems, damage to emissions systems, such as catalytic converters, and otherwise jeopardize fuel economy, emissions and customer warranties.

“The technology developed and used in flexible fuel vehicles is not implemented in all non-FFV applications for all manufacturers,” said Dominic DiCicco, Ford representative to the USCAR Fuels Working Group.  “The challenge is to determine what, if any, is a safe and reliable increase in the percentage of ethanol in the standard mix of gasoline to avoid damage to cars and trucks.”  Similarly, this is of concern for tractors, lawnmowers, power generators and any other product that runs on gasoline.

“It’s not as simple as it sounds,” said Don Walkowicz, executive director of USCAR, who noted the Fuels Working Group has been developing testing processes with the participation of the U.S. Department of Energy to evaluate mid-level ethanol blends since late 2007.  “By establishing the testing parameters and bringing other stakeholders into the process, including the Auto Alliance, Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, American Petroleum Institute, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, National Marine Manufacturers Association, the broader independent Coordinating Research Council, DOE and EPA, we hope to gain consensus and unbiased results.”

Through USCAR and following subsequent EPA guidance regarding Clean Air Act section 211 (f)(4) criteria and recommendations for test design, Detroit’s automakers have begun development of test programs for base engine, evaporative system, fuel system components, catalytic converters and emissions inventory and air quality modeling.

The broader coalition of stakeholders is further enhancing and expanding the test program.  Once fully underway, the testing will analyze ethanol blends from E15 up to E20.

Major stakeholders, including the DOE, EPA and CRC with its auto/oil sponsors, have contributed a sizeable investment to cover a large portion of the testing costs.  Ongoing efforts are underway to secure the funds needed to complete the testing as developed by the broader coalition.

With funding in place, the tests could potentially be completed within 18 to 24 months.

“It’s going to take time to get it right,” DiCicco added.  “I’m optimistic we’ll get the funding issues resolved, as well as come to a scientific consensus.

“All of the Fuels Working Group members agree that there’s no sense in taking a ‘hurry-up and fix-it-later’ approach, and there are no environmental gains if we get it wrong,” he said.

About USCAR

Founded in 1992, USCAR is the collaborative automotive technology organization for Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company.  The goal of USCAR is to further strengthen the technology base of the domestic auto industry through cooperative research and development. For more information, visit USCAR’s Web site at www.uscar.org.

11/2/09                                                          ###

Click here to download a copy of this press release.