The American Automobile Association (AAA) has taken a position against the use of E15 for all motorists despite the fact that E15 is the most tested fuel in American history. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the use of E15 for cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or later. In addition, the EPA has put safeguards in place for retailers before they are legally allowed to sell the ethanol blend to ensure motorists use the fuel correctly.

Today, Senior Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Ron Lamberty charged AAA with “unnecessarily alarming motorists” and having a double standard between ethanol and oil based fuels, in a letter sent to AAA President Robert Darbelnet. In the letter, Lamberty questions AAA’s stand on E15 and points out its silence on non-approved low-octane fuel being sold in states like Colorado and South Dakota.

Lamberty points out in the letter that, “The hypocrisy of turning a blind eye and most likely allowing people to shorten the lives of their vehicles by using unapproved and untested oil-company produced sub-octane gasoline for decades, while loudly attacking thoroughly tested and approved E15 when only a few stations are offering it for sale, is quite unbecoming for an organization that claims it puts the best interests of the American motorist first.”

“Furthermore,” wrote Lambery, “making “recommendations” about E15 based on oil-industry funded and directed “studies,” while ignoring millions of miles of federal government laboratory testing showing E15 is safe for cars and light trucks manufactured in 2001 and later (some of which now have owners’ manuals that list E15 as an approved fuel) is indefensible.”

You can Lamberty’s letter to AAA by clicking here.