Source: aftermarketNews.com

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday issued a final rule intended to minimize misfueling from use of gasoline that contains up to 15 percent ethanol (E15). The final rule would prohibit the use of gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol on any vehicle, engines and equipment not approved by EPA for use of E15. Under two final rules issued by the agency late in 2010 and early in 2011, use of E15 was limited to only 2001 and later model year vehicles.

The July 25 final rule also requires that all E15 fuel dispensers have a specific label meant to prevent consumers from using an E15 dispenser with a vehicle not intended for use of the ethanol blend. The new label requirements take into account suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission for more simple and effective communications of information for consumers in order to avoid misfueling.

The rule further requires that product transfer documents (PTDs) specifying ethanol content and Reid Vapor Pressure accompany the transfer of gasoline blended with ethanol through the fuel distribution system. The agency is also requiring in the final rule a survey of retail gasoline stations to ensure compliance with E15 labeling.