EPA gives thumbs up to labels about E15 use in new vehicles

E15 is fuel that contains 15 percent Ethanol over the more commonly used E10. Just this Tuesday, labels were approved which will allow the sale of a E15.

The new labels will be orange and black, and display warnings for owners of vehicles who should not opt for the new fuel. Generally vehicles 2001 model year and earlier should not use the fuel. Others who are advised against it, as Kris Kiser, executive VP of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute include “There are millions of off-road, small-engine equipment — lawnmower, chainsaw, motorcycle, snowmobile, boats — and older cars on the market that are not designed to run on E15,”.

Automakers are not cheering for the change. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers intends upon reviewing the ruling in further detail. They are already noting flaws, such as alliance spokeswoman Gloria Bergquist notes “We see the final rule fails to require that service station pumps contain a warning label directing consumers to check their owner’s manual to determine the appropriate fuel for specific vehicles… This is a significant and unfortunate omission.”

There are other reasons automakers have concerns, as well. With two lawsuits filed in attempts to prevent the use of the fuel, it has been noted that the manufacturers believe the fuel may have a negative impact on performance and that the fuels’ use can result in damage to the vehicle.

Not everyone is against E15 the way automakers are, though. Growth Energy CEO says “This is another step in the process to get E15 into the marketplace later this year, which will create U.S. jobs, improve the environment and strengthen national security by displacing foreign oil,”

– By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Detroit News