RFA hits out at motorcyclists association for spreading myths about E15

August 20, 2015 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association has released the following statement in response to a press release issued by the American Motorcyclist Association, in which the group calls on motorcycle riders to support legislation that would amend the renewable fuel standard (RFS) by prohibiting gas stations from selling fuel that contains more than 10 percent ethanol, and requiring those that are already selling higher ethanol blends to cease.

“Once again, the AMA is engaging in scare tactics and spreading misinformation about E15. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before,” said Robert White, RFA vice president of industry relations. “AMA’s claims that E15 will suddenly become available at every fuel station in the country and replace E10, so that there will no longer be any legal fuel for motorcycles to use, are patently false. E15 has been on the market for three years and no motorcycle has misfueled using the higher ethanol blend or has been denied a warranty claim. Plus, the AMA ignores the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that the fuel dispenser label clearly identify what vehicles can and cannot use E15. Does the AMA believe that motorcyclists can’t read?”

White said that the availability for motorcycles to use E10, which is approved for use in motorcycle engines, increased last year, and that more E10 and E0 were sold last year than in the previous year.

“The AMA has gone to great lengths to confuse what the RFS means for consumers,” White said.  “The law states that gasoline refiners and importers must purchase and blend renewable fuels with gasoline and diesel, or purchase credits. Most producers choose to blend renewable fuels because ethanol is cheaper than gasoline and has an octane rating of 113, but the availability of credits assures no marketer will ever have to offer higher level ethanol blends if they don’t want to. The RFS was meant to increase the amount of renewable fuels that are mixed in our gasoline supply each year, but that has not happened at the pace required by law because oil companies have steadfastly refused to give up any more market share. The EPA has chosen to ignore the statute and is proposing to substantially reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs). AMA claims that the only way to accomplish injecting higher biofuel volumes in the marketplace is with E15. But, no marketer will ever have to move exclusively to higher ethanol blends, and E10 will always be an option for non-approved engines. In fact, EPA requires it.”

Category: Fuels

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