Bob McCormick
June 13, 2007
Governor’s Biofuels Coalition Summit
E85 and Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies
Fuels Technologies Subprogram
Non- Petroleum Based Fuels Activity
Dennis Smith, Technology Manager
NREL/ PR- 540- 41828
June 2007 Agenda
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Ethanol and Ethanol Blends
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Flexible Fuel Vehicles
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Conversions
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Considerations for E85 Use
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Lifecycle Analysis
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Vehicle Emissions Ethanol and Ethanol Blends
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Alcohol- based fuel produced from starch crops or cellulosic biomass such as trees and grasses:
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Currently, corn is primary feedstock
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Cellulosic feedstock in development
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High octane ( 100+):
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Used to enhance octane of gasoline ( E10)
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As oxygenate to reduce CO emissions during combustion ( E10)
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As an alternative fuel, most commonly used in a summer blend of approximately 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline ( E85). Winter blends may be as low as 70% ethanol.
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E85 has 27- 36% less energy content than gasoline so mileage is adversely affected. OEM’s estimate 15- 30% decrease in mileage. Flex Fuel Vehicles ( FFVs)
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Flex fuel vehicles can use E85, unleaded gasoline or any combination of the two.
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Key component differences in a flex fuel vehicle are:
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Higher volume fuel pump
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Larger diameter injectors
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Different materials in the fuel system, heads, valves, and piston rings
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ECU calibration
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Conventional vehicles are not certified for use with E85
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If E85 is used in a non- flex fuel vehicle the driver will experience very poor acceleration, a substantial increase in maintenance costs, eventually component failure
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FFVs are available in light duty vehicles including cars, vans, ½ ton pickups, and SUV’s. There are an estimated 5 million FFVs on the road in the U. S. FFV Conversions
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FFV conversions are considered “ Aftermarket Conversion Systems”, not just “ Devices” and therefore are required to obtain a Certificate of Conformity
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The same emission certification required of a new vehicle
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Currently no conversion kits are approved by the EPA.
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To date none have obtained a Certificate of Conformity. Two are in the approval process. Points to Consider for E85
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Decreased mileage and range when using E85
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High level of fuel pricing volatility until demand and supply balance
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Needs to cost 20%- 30% less to make economic sense
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Refueling infrastructure not in place in all geographies. Currently there are approximately 1200 stations in the U. S. offering E85.
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Colorado currently has 20 stations with 50 projected by end of 2007.
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Controversy in press over life cycle energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions
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Limited tailpipe emission data. Life Cycle Energy Balance
* ANL, Ethanol, the complete energy lifecycle picture, March 2007 Fossil Energy Ratio0123456CellulosicEthanolBiorefineryBiodiesel( soybean oil) CornEthanolGasolineElectricity5.33.21.40.80.4
Fossil Energy Ratio
Fossil Energy Ratio ( FER) =
Fossil Energy Used
Energy Delivered to Customer Greenhouse Gas ( GHG) Impact*
Replacing a gallon of gasoline with equivalent EtOH
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Corn EtOH using coal as the energy source- approx. 2% increase in GHG’s
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Corn EtOH using current energy sources- approx. 15% decrease in GHG’s
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Corn EtOH using Natural Gas- approx. 28% decrease in GHG’s
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Cellulosic EtOH- approx. 85% decrease in GHG’s
* ANL, Ethanol, the complete energy lifecycle picture, March 2007 Flexible Fuel Vehicle Emissions
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Limited data on recent model year vehicles
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Available data currently being reviewed by NREL
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Further testing being completed by NREL, EPA and CRC
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Past data shows for operation on E85:
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GHG- reduced CO2emissions and increased CH4emissions
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Slightly reduced evaporative emissions compared to gasoline
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Reduced air toxic emissions for benzene and 1,3 butadiene
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Increased air toxic emissions for acetaldehyde and formaldehyde NREL E85 Emissions Testing
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Testing being performed at Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment mobile source emissions lab as part of Colorado E85 Coalition initiative
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Winter E85 (~ 71% ethanol) and winter gasoline ( E10)
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Summer E85 (~ 85% ethanol) and summer gasoline ( E0)
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Using standard EPA testing requirements and protocol
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Using Colorado state fleet vehicles and possibly EPA fleet vehicles ( minimum 5 vehicles)
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All testing to be completed Summer 2007
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Some of the only available data on recent model year FFVs
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Report to be issued 3rdQtr 2007