• Number 298  |
• October 26, 2009

Team tests higher ethanol fuel mix

Researchers at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are trying to find out if a gasoline “diet” of traditional fuel blended with increased levels of ethanol will be good for the environment and economy without hurting cars and small engines. The hope is that new ethanol blends could play a starring role in reducing U.S. petroleum use. Generally, the tests have shown no big surprises or short term effects when using greater blends of ethanol in existing cars. However, the same can’t be said for small non-road engines.  But, don’t read too much into the initial tests for both auto and small engines cautioned Keith Knoll, senior project leader, “Although we’ve got good data, this was a very small sample that is part of a much larger program.” Data from initial tests on small engines and cars was released in October 2008 and updated in February 2009. Follow-up reports addressing other vehicle effects will be issued over the coming year.

[Heather Lammers, 303.275.4084,
heather.lammers@nrel.gov]