6 Benefits E15 Can Bring To Fuel

E15, gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, was approved to be sold in the U.S. by the EPA in early 2010.  Currently most fuel stations across the country use E10 a fuel blend that has only 10% ethanol, but the move to E15 could provide U.S. fuel consumers with many benefits.  Here are the top 6 benefits to Americans by switching to E15.

1. Stimulates the American economy – By switching to E15 additional ethanol will need to be created to in order to supply the demand which will create more jobs.  It estimated by only increasing ethanol blends in fuel by 5% over 136,000 new jobs will be created.
2. Reduces dependence on foreign oil – The use of ethanol reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil.  In 2010 E10 reduced American oil imports to the amount of 445 million barrels.  E15 will require 7 billion less gallons of oil to produce gasoline.
3. 67% of current vehicles can use E15 – Passenger cars built after 2001 are cleared to use this fuel, and as more new cars enter the market they will also be able to take advantage of using E15.  For those that can’t use E15 clear warning labels are going to be presented at gas stations.
4. Encourages the creation of vehicles that can handle higher ethanol blends – More ethanol needed to fuel cars will require auto makers to invest in making vehicles that can run using different types of fuel.  This could create healthy competition in the market place for fuel and give American’s a choice in what they fill their vehicles up with, rather than having only one practical choice, oil.
5. Encourages more research into cellulosic ethanol – Research in cellulosic ethanol was stalled until the EPA allowed E15 to be used.  This occurred because ethanol supply had met ethanol demand and a new source for ethanol would not be needed.  Why is cellulosic ethanol research important?  Cellulosic ethanol would allow energy to be created out of non edible parts of plants.  In short it’s energy (ethanol) that would be created from woodchips, corn stalks, switchgrass, etc. which means it’s essentially turning bio-waste into fuel.
6. Grain ethanol has 59% fewer green house gas emissions than conventional gasoline – In the life cycle analysis research published in Yale University’s Journal of Industrial Ecology discovered grain ethanol had 59% fewer green house gas admissions than conventional gasoline.

Source:

http://www.growthenergy.org/