The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to allow the ethanol portion of blended gasoline to be increased from the current 10 percent to 15 percent for certain vehicles, which could pose a danger for motorcycles.

On Oct. 13, the EPA announced approval of a waiver for E15. Under the decision, E15 is now approved for use in model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. It isn't approved for use in any other gasoline-fueled engines. To see the EPA news release, go to http://*******.com/US-EPA-E15.

"The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned that gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol could result in premature engine damage or failure while a motorcycle is being ridden," said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. "We're also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol."

The EPA, in allowing more ethanol in gas, specifically said that its decision covers model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks, and no other vehicles at this time, including motorcycles.

"Motorcycle manufacturers only certify their machines to run on gasoline or a blend with up to 10 percent ethanol, which is known as E10," Szauter said. "So using the 15 percent blend in a motorcycle could void the bike's warranty."

Growth Energy, an ethanol lobbying group, asked the EPA in March 2009 to allow gasoline to contain up to 15 percent ethanol. It's part of an effort to meet a congressional mandate to increase to 36 billion gallons the amount of renewable fuel available in the United States by 2022. Ethanol, made from corn and other crops, is considered a renewable fuel.

For more than three years the AMA has been on the record opposing increases in the ethanol level allowed in gasoline until studies show that an increase won't damage motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) engines, and won't make motorcycles emit more nitrogen oxides than are allowed by the EPA.

"The message we want to deliver today is that once E15 gas is offered for sale, there are a variety of reasons not to put it in your motorcycle or ATV gas tank," Szauter said. "In fact, the EPA even says you aren't allowed to put E15 in your bike."

The EPA said a decision on the use of E15 in model year 2001 to 2006 vehicles will be made after new test results are received. The EPA is also proposing E15 pump labeling requirements so that consumers don't mistakenly put E15 in the wrong vehicles.

Bob Greco, spokesman for the American Petroleum Institute, told The Wall Street Journal that by approving E15 without full testing, the EPA is putting "politics before science."

"You're going to have fuels in the marketplace that could damage engines and void warranties," Greco told the newspaper.

 

Grow as much US fuel as possible. Stop sending your paycheck to the Oil Cartels that financualy support our enemys that kill our soldiers and civillans alike.

 

Using a food source(corn) as a fuel source is just stupid. There are still a few places you can get ethanol free gas around here and I use them all the time. Ethanol gives less performance and worse mileage. E15 is more of the same BS.

 

It's already a pain at the pump now! That's all we need is another choice. Had a group ride 11/06/10 and stopped for fuel. Bikes went to all the pumps. Guess what? Some of the pumps were E85 and some of the bikes ended up pumping by mistake. The ones that had problems were all Carb. bikes. I learned you can't let your guard down at the pump, too many choices, heck one pump was racing fuel. I'm sure it would have been better than E85.

 

So let's see. Use less oil by putting Ethanol in the gas. Ethanol reduces MPG causing us to fill up more often and use more gas. So where are the savings?
Same bullshit with electric cars. You still have to plug them in to recharge them. Where do they think the electricity comes from.....Lightning Bolts!
We're gonna "Green" ourselves to death.
I guess Dinosaur farts caused the Ice Age.

 

Since it isnt an immediate use, most people just dont see it. Thats why hybrids actually sell - because people don't think of the total cost - they just see the EPA fuel mileage estimate.

 

More lobbying by a special interest group! And as usual we are the ones who end up getting screwed.

 

check the original post... it's not about SAVINGS. it was brought about by the Ethanol LOBBYING group... it's about profits for the ETHANOL producers.

"Growth Energy, an ethanol lobbying group, asked the EPA in March 2009 to allow gasoline to contain up to 15 percent ethanol. "

 

Next year Nascar starts it also.........
Just thought I'd add that.

 

I meant the fuel savings and dependency on foreign oil. I know it's all political bullshit, but that's how they trick the public into believing it. It's all about greed and screw the little guy. Wait till you see the fuel prices if Cap in Trade goes through.
Isn't it funny how corn is so much cheaper than oil, but our fuel prices didn't drop when they added ethanol.
"Go Green My ***"