A new report, “Summary of High Octane, Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Study,” released by the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Argonne National Lab finds multiple benefits if using high-octane mid-level ethanol blends in future optimized engines. The study found benefits ranging from increased vehicle efficiency to increased acceleration to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Specifically, these mid-level blends, including E25 and E40 have more octane that allows automakers to manufacture more efficient engines without compromising performance.

The authors of the report write, “The experimental and analytical results of this study considered together show that high octane fuels (HOF), specifically mid-level ethanol blends (E25-E40), could offer significant benefits for the United States. These benefits include an improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency in vehicles designed and dedicated to use the increased octane…Furthermore, dedicated HOF vehicles would provide lower well-to-wheel GHG emissions from a combination of improved vehicle efficiency and increased use of ethanol.”

Growth Energy Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley of the study, “This report reinforces what consumers know today – more ethanol means more consumer savings at the pump and less pollutants in the air we breathe. I am pleased that this report recognizes and confirms what we’ve said for a number of years – automakers can take advantage of ethanol’s high octane properties to achieve the administration’s ambitious climate goals. As the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the California Air Resources Board undertake their mid-term review, they should appropriately recognize the ability of high-octane, mid-level ethanol blends to meet the future greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards.”