National Boat Racing Association Adopts E10 Ethanol Blend As Official Fuel For 2011

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) announced yesterday that Hydroplane and Runabout racing boats will be flying across the lakes of the Midwest on a new fuel:  E10 ethanol.  The newly-formed partnership between the RFA and NBRA will provide all powered boats competing in the 2011 NBRA series event races with E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline).

“American boaters have been utilizing ethanol-blended fuel safely and effectively for years,” said Vernon Barfield, NBRA Spokesperson. “Ethanol-blended fuel provides the high-performance engines in this series with the horsepower and performance they need to win.  We are excited to show that our racing boats are able to perform to their best capability using E10 fuel, shaking the myths that ethanol harms marine engines.”

Today, nearly every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States is blended with ethanol, most commonly in the E10 formulation.  This blend of fuel has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in all engine types, including marine equipment, automobiles, and small or non-road engines. These two-stroke engine boats will be taking engine performance to the next level, reaching top notch speeds operating on E10 fuel purchased from the same retail fuel locations as local consumers.

“We are thrilled to partner with NBRA to dispel any notion that ethanol is an unfit fuel for marine engines,” said Robert White, RFA Director of Market Development. “The use of E10 in these racing boats proves that this fuel is as effective during your weekly commute in your automobile as it is on your weekend boating trips.”

Through the partnership of the RFA and NBRA, ethanol pride will be displayed at every race.  To educate and inform consumers about the use of ethanol, Fan Packs of ethanol information will be give out to the first 200 attendees at each event with RFA’s “Fueled With Pride” logo displayed on uniforms, course buoys and flags, t-shirts sold at the races by NBRA, trophies presented at national events, near refueling areas of all boats, and on signs placed throughout the viewing area.  Through the Ethanol Driver Contingency Program, cash awards will be given to those who promote their use of E10. It is important that America’s consumers are aware the benefits ethanol blended fuels and the positive impact this domestic made fuel has on our environment and our economy.

(Crossposted from American Fuels)

E10 Ethanol Blend Reduces Moped Exhaust Emissions

I recently ran across an interesting study from Denmark on the exhaust emissions from mopeds. Mopeds are evidently fairly common in Denmark so they were looking at ways to reduce harmful emissions from them.

The study was conducted by the Technical University of Denmark and measured how ethanol blended gasoline reduced the emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, smoke and particulate matter. The results showed that all emissions were reduced with introduction of ethanol but the most striking change was in the levels of particulate matter. E10 reduced the amount of particulate matter by up to 75%.

Emission from a Moped Fuelled by Gasoline/Ethanol Mixtures

This study may not seem all that relevant since mopeds aren't all that popular in the United States but the engine in the moped tested is of the same basic type as found in many pieces of small hand held equipment such as string trimmers and chain saws. And since the users of these types of equipment are forced to breath the pollutants they emit, any product that reduces the amount of harmful pollutants emitted should be considered.

MTD Products Fuel Recommendations

MTD manufactures outdoor power equipment under many names including Cub Cadet, Cub Cadet Commercial, Cub Cadet Yanmar, Troy-Bilt, White Outdoor, Yard-Man, Yard Machines, Bolens, Arnold, GardenWay, MTD Pro and MTD Gold. In the support section of their site a question and answer section and one question deals with what type of gasoline should be used.

It is recommended that customers use unleaded gasoline in the 84-90 octane range and avoid using gasoline with more than 10% alcohol.

Source : MTD Products Website

RedMax Fuel Recommendations

RedMax is a maker of commercial grade outdoor equipment such as chainsaws, string trimmers, blowers, etc. In their warranty statement they say that gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol is acceptable.

Only use gasolines which contain 89 octane or Higher. Gasohol which contains a maximum 10% ethanol (grain alcohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl/tertiary/butyl/ether) is also approved.

Source : RedMax Warranty Statement

Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Fuel Recommendations

Echo Outdoor Power Equipment makes commercial quality power equipment such as string trimmers, blowers, etc. On their website, in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section is their recommendations on fuel.

Gasoline – Use 89 Octane [(R+M)/2] (mid-grade or higher) gasoline or gasohol known to be good quality.
Gasoline may contain up to 10% Ethyl (grain) alcohol (ethanol) or 15% MTBE (methyl teriary-butyl ether).

Source : Echo Website