WILMOT, S.D. -- The Environmental Protection Agency says consumers need a flexible-fuel vehicle before fueling with blends containing up to half E85.
Why? The ethanol industry flounders as EPA misleads, spending millions researching the standard auto's compatibility with higher blends. Its latest snipe hunt involves the standard auto's catalytic converter's decreased longevity when subjected to higher blends. A navigation of NAPA Auto Parts online reveals catalytic converters are identical for flex-fuel vehicles and standard autos. Nearly every part made in the past 20 years can be purchased using this site.
The engines, catalytic converter and other parts on this site do not have a "standard auto only" or "for flex-fuel auto only" identification. A part is a part is a part. The only flex-fuel vehicle differences are computer program changes and larger injector openings to increase fuel flow rate needed for blends containing more than half E85.
A 1995 National Renewable Energy Lab study, reviewing related research, found standard vehicles fueled with at least half E85 produced health benefits.
This research concluded, "Extensive deployment of original-equipment (alternate-fuel vehicles) would enable communities to realize improvements in public health and associated economic benefits."
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Yet EPA condemns health conscious consumers as criminals when they fuel higher blends in their standard autos. Yes, we can expect EPA's self serving blindness to attempt to challenge President Obama.
