Ethanol groups filed comments Friday with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the intention to analyze potential environmental impacts of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year (MY) 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles.

The Renewable Fuels Association submitted a letter and literature survey of technical papers and studies on the benefits of ethanol-based High Octane Fuel, noting that broader availability of such fuel would help automakers increase engine compression ratios without making costly hardware changes. Read the letter

Growth Energy also submitted comments supporting the use of high-octane, midlevel ethanol blends to achieve higher energy efficiency standards.

“It has long been recognized that vehicles and fuels operate as a system, and to undertake significant changes and increases in the stringency of tailpipe GHG standards without an examination of potential changes in the fuel used by these vehicles makes little sense,” Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley said. “Policymakers should examine the literature about the benefits of using a high-octane midlevel ethanol blend in conjunction with modern engines to achieve future fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards.”

Friday was the end of the public comment period on the notice which initiates the process for determining the scope of considerations to be addressed in the environmental impact statement and for identifying any significant environmental matters related to the proposed action.