The Feds Say Cutting Fuel With Ethanol Will Bring Down Gas Prices. We're Not Buying It

Key Points on the Impact of E15 (Ethanol-Blended Gasoline) on Vehicles

Efficiency and Fuel Economy:

• EPA's Claim: A 1.5% drop in fuel economy when switching from E10 to E15.
• Independent Testing: Cars.com and Car and Driver report a 4-5% decrease in fuel efficiency.

Wear and Tear on Engines:

• Lean Conditions: Higher ethanol content forces engines to run leaner, which can cause the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to inject more fuel to prevent knock or pinging.
• Modern Cars (Post-2001): The EPA claims these vehicles do not have significant issues with E15. However, this is based on vague results and may still put additional strain on modern engines.

Older Vehicles:

• Pre-2001 Models: These cars are more prone to damage from ethanol due to their materials and design.
  • Seals and Rubber Components: Ethanol can act as a solvent, eating away at seals and older rubber components.
  • Aluminum Damage: Some types of aluminum can be damaged by prolonged exposure to ethanol.

Small Engines:

Read the full article at The Drive

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