10% bioethanol blend safe, says Reyes

The Department of Energy (DOE) has assured the safety of the use of 10 percent blend of ethanol on gasoline products.

This will clear up hesitation from car owners that using 10 percent blend of bioethanol may cause damage to their vehicles.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said oil companies gave the assurance that their respective E10 brands all meet the Philippine National Standards (PNS). E10 will be offered across all ratings, such as E10 Octane 93 or E10 Octane 95.

The DOE also cited the statements from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Philippine Automotive Federation, Inc. (PAFI) that E10 can be used to power all fuel-injected engines, particularly in vehicles manufactured after 1999. Among the car brands that have endorsed the use of E10 are Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PGA Cars (importers of Audi and Porsche), Suzuki, Toyota, and Volvo.

Reyes urged the motoring public to switch to E10. “E10 improves the combustion efficiency of gasoline because of the oxygenates that are inherent to bioethanol,” he said. This will translate to better performance, reduced carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions which, in most cases, would improve fuel economy.”

He noted that immense benefits to the environment, accruing from wider use of E10. Aside from being biodegradable, bioethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions because it burns more efficiently, thus significantly reducing unburned carbons.

According to the DOE, blending serves two purposes: it extends gasoline supplies, and as an octane enhancer, it replaces metallic-based additives. Bioethanol has a cleansing effect that removes rust and other unwanted contaminants that may have accumulated in the tank and fuel system over the years.

Consequently, E10 is known to provide high octane rating at low cost as an alternative to harmful fuel additives. E10 has the added advantage of high volumetric efficiency; it burns cooler than straight gasoline, helping to keep valves cool and thus contributing to increased power.

CAMPI and PAFI advised owners of older-model cars to consult accredited service shops if they want to fill up with E10.

Bioethanol was one of the first fuels used in automobile engines. It was used extensively in Germany during World War II and also in Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States. During the postwar period, as petroleum supplies became cheap and abundant, gasoline largely replaced bioethanol as an automotive fuel. In the 1970s, when the supply of oil was restricted, bioethanol re-emerged as an alternative to or extender for petroleum-based liquid fuels.

Reyes also hailed this development as a boost to the economy and big step toward increasing energy independence and reducing carbon emissions.