Source: Growth Energy
A newly-released Rochester Institute of Technology study shows that E20 — a blend of 20-percent ethanol with gasoline — has no measurable impact on vehicle drivability or durability, and lower tailpipe emissions compared to conventional gasoline. Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, said today that this study proves the value of moving to higher blends of ethanol in the country's fuel supply.
The study was conducted by RIT's Center of Integrated Manufacturing Studies. Using a 10-vehicle fleet owned and operated by Monroe County, N.Y., researchers fueled the vehicles — all with older gasoline engines not specifically designed to burn ethanol blends — over the accumulation of at least 100,000 miles per vehicle. Researchers found that the fleet showed an average reduction of 23 percent for carbon monoxide and a 13 percent reduction for hydrocarbon emissions, with no measurable stress on vehicle operation or mechanics.
