NREL says “no major impact” yet seen in E15, E20 vehicle testing; small non-road engines lack systems to handle higher ethanol blends

In Colorado, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are reporting that they have not yet seen “major impact” on vehicles being tested with E15 and E20 blends. NREL is testing 16 vehicles with 1999-2007 model years.

NREL is reporting that the vehicles are reporting a 7.7 percent loss in fuel economy with E20, compared to gasoline, no increases in NOx, and reductions in carbon monoxide emissions.

NREL is also reporting that small, non-road engines such as lawn trimmers need further study, because the small engines do not have feedback control systems or exhaust oxygen sensors that help compensate for the higher ethanol level, causing the engines to run up to 70 degrees celsius hotter. NREL said that the sample of 28 small non-road engines and 16 vehicles provided good data, but more study was needed.

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