Nebraska study shows E30 safe for non-flex fuel vehicles

In Nebraska, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the results of a E30 demonstration project conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) with support from the State’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The ground-breaking research clearly demonstrates that E30, gasoline blended with 30% ethanol, is safe for long-term use in non flex fuel vehicles (FFVs).

A team at the UNL Engineering Department completed a summary of the E30 demonstration and reported the safety of using the fuel in non-FFVs.  The team reached its conclusion after a yearlong demonstration, permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), compared various data points among a fleet of state-owned, non-FFVs.  The full results of the demonstration will be released after being peer reviewed.

The demonstration captured data using On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) devices on approximately 50 vehicles through both warm and cold seasons.  When the engine was started, the device captured millions of data points, giving UNL researchers an opportunity to monitor fuel efficiency, vehicle performance, emissions control systems, and many more systems.  Additionally, drivers kept a log each time they filled up and provided their experience in regards to maintenance and efficiency.