March 5

Existing vehicles could safely run on gasoline containing 20 percent renewable ethanol instead of the typical 10 percent, according to a study released March 5 by the state of Minnesota.

The study found that doubling the amount of ethanol in fuel did not present problems for current vehicles or fuel dispensing equipment and provides similar power and performance, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Renewable Fuels Association, which, along with others, cooperated on the study.

The year-long study examined how 40 pairs of vehicles performed when ethanol blends were increased from 10 percent to 20 percent.

Minnesota conducted the study as part of the process to meet a state law that requires ethanol comprise 20 percent of all gasoline sold in the state beginning in 2013. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed legislation that included the requirement in 2005.

The state soon will apply to the EPA for a waiver to federal rules that will allow E20 to be used in all of the state´s gasoline.

Most automakers advise that vehicles on the road today can run on E10, but maintain the vehicles are not designed to accommodate higher concentrations of ethanol. However, the Minnesota study found no evidence that E20 would more adversely impact technologies commonly found in vehicles on American roads today, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Renewable fuels Association.

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