AAA urges EPA to halt approval of E15 for vehicles
By David Shepardson
Detroit News Washington Bureau
95 Comments
Washington — AAA, the nation's largest travel organization, on Friday urged the Obama administration to halt the sale of E15 — a new fuel with a higher blend of ethanol — because of possible engine damage to most vehicles on the nation's roads.
AAA, which has 53 million members, said it has found in a new survey a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent approval of E15 gasoline for 2001 model vehicles and newer.
All vehicles on the road can travel on E10 — which is 10 percent ethanol. Corn advocates successfully petitioned the EPA to approve E15, which is 15 percent ethanol, for vehicles since 2001. But the fuel is only being sold at a handful of stations.
The EPA said in a statement it shares AAA's concern about educating consumers, but didn't directly address the request that it halt the sale of the fuel.
"To address these concerns, EPA has been working with AAA and other stakeholders to help inform consumers about the use of E15 and recently required all retailers that sell E15 to label fuel pumps with a prominent orange and black label that EPA developed with the Federal Trade Commission. While EPA does not require retailers to sell E15, the label will help ensure consumers are aware about which vehicles are approved for its use," EPA said.
Nearly all — or 95 percent — of people surveyed have not heard of E15, AAA said.
With little consumer understanding of E15 and less than five percent of cars on the road approved by automakers to use the fuel, "AAA is urging regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are better protected."
Bob Dinneen, who heads the ethanol advocacy trade group — the Renewable Fuels Association — blasted AAA, saying the concern raised "reflects a pathetic ignorance of EPA's unprecedented test program before approving E15 for commercial use. The fact is E15 has been the most aggressively and comprehensively tested fuel in the history of the agency."
Dinneen accused AAA of being in the pocket of oil companies. "For years, refiners in vast swaths of the country have sold sub-87 octane fuel, which no auto company warranties today. Where's AAA's outrage and concern about that?" Dinneen said. "Ethanol has helped reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil by 45 percent in 2011 and is supporting more than 400,000 jobs across the country that can't be outsourced."
But a prominent House Republican, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, called on EPA to act. He has introduced legislation to halt the sale of E15.
"AAA's findings affirm what we have already heard — E15 causes premature engine damage and voids warranties, even on new models," Sensenbrenner said. "Concerns about E15 are not diminishing, they are increasing. That is telling. When an organization like AAA, a nationally trusted source for motorists, calls out the EPA, you would think the administration would listen."
AAA said just 12 million out of the more than 240 million light-duty vehicles on the roads today are approved by manufacturers to use E15 gasoline, based on a survey conducted by AAA of auto manufacturers.
General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. have approved the use of the fuel for new model vehicles only. Chrysler Group LLC said this week it still doesn't approve the use of E15 for any of its vehicles.
"It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle," said AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet. "Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers."
AAA said five manufacturers (BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen) are on record saying their warranties will not cover fuel-related claims caused by the use of E15. Seven additional automakers (Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo) said E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner's manuals and may void warranty coverage, AAA said.
Vehicles currently approved by automakers to use E15 are flex-fuel models — those that can run on E85 — and 2001 model-year and newer Porsches, 2012 model-year and newer GM vehicles and 2013 model-year Ford vehicles.
EPA has prohibited the use of E15 in heavy-duty vehicles, boats, motorcycles, power equipment, lawn mowers and off-road vehicles.
"The sale and use of E15 should be suspended until additional gas pump labeling and consumer education efforts are implemented to mitigate problems for motorists and their vehicles," Darbelnet said.
More than 95 percent of the gasoline sold in the United States contains up to 10 percent ethanol — and since E15 was approved, just 10 stations are selling it nationwide.
All major automakers, including Detroit's Big Three, unsuccessfully filed suit in December 2010 in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington to block a federal plan to allow fuel stations to start selling E15, warning it could corrode engines. Boat manufacturers and lawn equipment makers joined automakers in the lawsuit.
The U.S. House voted last year to block E15, but the Senate never took up the measure.
Automakers and many other groups urged Congress to act to bar the increase, including: the American Bakers Association; American Meat Institute; American Petroleum Institute; National Petrochemical & Refiners Association; National Turkey Federation; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute; and Specialty Equipment Market Association
"Simply stated, this amendment will call a halt to EPA's headlong rush to introduce E15 at least until unbiased and independent testing on the impact of E15 on vehicle and the environment can be completed," the groups said.
Automakers have expressed concerns about using a higher percentage of the ethanol blend that could corrode engines.
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From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121130/AUTO01/211300415#ixzz2Drxt23c5
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