Oil Refiners Say Higher Ethanol Blends May Damage Fuel Pumps
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Ethanol-blended gasoline approved for use in most U.S. vehicles may damage car engines by harming fuel pumps, according to a study funded by oil refiners and automakers.
The industry groups have opposed the standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency that allows so-called E15 blended fuels, which contain 15 percent ethanol. While the EPA cleared the blend for most vehicles sold since 2001, the study released today by the Coordinating Research Council shows it may cause fuel-pump failures, component swelling and problems that could trigger on-board diagnostic system breakdowns.