The Environmental Protection Agency says it will now be the end of the year before testing of 15 percent ethanol blended fuel in vehicles older than 2007 model year is complete.

According to a very brief statement issued by the EPA, the Department of Energy has informed EPA that “lab testing of E15 in model year 2001-2006 vehicles will now be completed by the end of December. EPA will make its decision shortly after receiving that data.”

“We’ve been informed by EPA that the decision is being delayed because of the need to retest one particular car that hadn’t been properly maintained and serviced. That particular car failed on all fuels, including E0. The problem was with the testing process, not the fuel,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “This also demonstrates just how committed EPA is to the integrity of the testing; they are doing this right. We are confident that ultimately all the tests will show what we’ve said all along, that E15 is a great fuel for American motorists.”

Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen says while the delay is disappointing, it is understandable. “We encourage EPA to extend such due diligence to testing for all cars and pickups, regardless of age. We believe the fuel testing to date clearly demonstrates the efficacy of E15 as a motor fuel for all light duty vehicles.”

More information on the delay is expected from EPA by the end of the day.