Bailout Blend: Bad for Your Engine?
How would you feel about a fuel additive that could cost you more money and screw up your engine? If the ethanol industry has its way, that’s just what you might get. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a controversial request from the ethanol industry to increase the required level of ethanol in gas from 10 to 15 percent to help meet renewable fuel goals. Requiring the higher blend could bail out a financially troubled ethanol industry, but at what cost to consumers?
One problem with the higher ethanol blend is that it could seriously damage cars built before 2001 by corroding rubber parts and dislodging residue that could result in catastrophic engine damage. The more ethanol in the gas, the greater the chance for problems. And—there’s no guarantee that it’s safe for cars built after 2001—it’s just an educated guess that the EPA is testing on 12 car models. If you drive an older vehicle, you better hope yours is among them.
You’ll be filling up more often, too—ethanol blended gasoline contains less energy per gallon than traditional gasoline, so your car won’t go as far on a tank, and, if purchased outside of the Midwest, ethanol is generally more expensive than gas.
The debate has made strange bedfellows out of the oil industry and environmentalists who both oppose the increase. Environmentalists are crying foul because the E15 blend gets fewer miles to the gallon and is not a clean burning fuel, while the oil industry cites concerns over potential engine damage.
The EPA is studying the issue and has indicated that it will make its decision in mid-June. But you have to wonder why they would seriously consider the request in the face of all these issues and whether the financial distress of the ethanol producers has anything to do with it. There is no doubt that increasing the percentage of ethanol is risky. The real question is whether this is just another example of an energy policy that is more political than practical or, worse yet, a bailout for the ethanol industry that may come at the expense of drivers.
Do you think adding E15 to the nation’s fuel supply is a good idea? Log onto AAA.com/Poll and take our poll.
3 Important Ethanol Effects
➋ Safety: Small-engine makers fear E15 could be dangerous for boat engines and handheld power tools because it is more likely to cause leaks and other damage in this kind of equipment.
➌ The Environment: Producing ethanol is an energy-intensive process that still results in greenhouse-gas emissions. It won’t save the planet as it still produces pollutants.
