Minimum purchase requirement for E-15 dropped

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a regulation earlier this year requiring a minimum purchase of four gallons of fuel from single-hose dispensers that pumped both E-15 fuel and E-10 fuel. The ill-advised regulation has now been dropped.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) voiced concerns with the EPA over the regulation, since many motorcycle fuel tanks will not hold four gallons of fuel. E-15 fuel has also not been properly tested for use in motorcycles and ATVs.

The intent of the EPA regulation was to dilute any E-15 fuel to safe levels for use in vehicles that were not designed to run on the 15% ethanol fuel.

The EPA notified the AMA on December 17th that it no longer would require a minimum purchase at the pump. The new work-around for single hose pumps will be to attach a sticker to the dispenser notifying the customer that fuel from that pump is only for use in passenger cars and trucks.

The EPA will also require gas stations to maintain at least one dispenser that does not use E-15 fuel for motorcycles and other vehicles that should not use the fuel.

"With E15 gasoline, our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with residual fuel left in the hose," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

"Unlike an automobile or SUV that has a large fuel tank, the residual fuel left in a fueling hose could be detrimental to the performance of motorcycle or ATV engines due to the small size of their fuel tanks and the higher concentration of ethanol that would, therefore, be present in the fuel," Allard said. "In addition, the use of E15 will lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure. Use of E15 fuel voids many manufacturer warranties. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous for users."

This means motorcycle riders, and those operating vehicles not approved for E-15 may soon have to look closely for the proper pump to fill up at.

[AMA]