US EPA approves first registrations of E15 renewable fuel in gasoline

02 April 2012 23:41  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the first applications for registration of ethanol for use in making gasoline that contains up to 15% of ethanol (E15), the agency said on Monday.

Registration is a prerequisite to introducing E15 into the marketplace.

Before it can be sold, however, manufacturers must first take additional measures to help ensure retail stations and other gasoline distributors understand and implement labelling rules and other E15-related requirements, the EPA said.

Registration of ethanol to make E15 is a significant step toward its production, sale, and use in model-year 2001 and newer gasoline-fuelled cars and light trucks. 

E15 is not permitted for use in motor vehicles built before 2001 model year and in off-road vehicles and equipment such as boats and lawn and garden equipment, agency said. 

Gas pumps dispensing E15 will be clearly labelled “so consumers can make the right choice,” it said.

Furthermore, the agency is not requiring the use or sale of E15, it said.

Up till now, US law limited ethanol to 10%, by volume, for use in gasoline-fuelled vehicles. 

Check out Doris de Guzman’s Green Chemicals Blog for views on sustainability issues

By: Stefan Baumgarten
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