Is hydrous ethanol currently being utilized?
Hydrous ethanol blends have passed stringent European Union (EU) standards according to independent laboratory validations conducted by TNO Automotive (The Netherlands) and SGS Drive Technology Center (Austria). HE15 in a standard VW Golf 5 FSI meets EU4 exhaust emission limits without engine optimization. The SGS Group is a global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. In addition, TNO Automotive has been investigating state-of-the-art low blend ethanol fuels, looking at the information available regarding engine performance and exhaust emissions. The focus was on the differences between hydrous and anhydrous ethanol for low-ethanol gasoline blends. Component testing studies were conducted at SGS and TNO for CO, HC, NOx, and fuel consumption (CO2). These European test results may be utilized to assist with obtaining EPA waivers for midlevel hydrous ethanol in North America. 100% hydrous ethanol blends (HE100) are currently being utilized