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Biofuels
update from a recent DfT meeting
Biofuel
terminology
The terms E5 and E10 refer to the proportion of ethanol in
the motor fuel sold at filling stations.
What
is the FBHVC?
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) is
a grouping of historic vehicle clubs and museums together
with some trade and Individual Supporters.
FBHVC website
See a copy
of the FBHVC press release on the DfT Fuel Stakeholder meeting.
More
What is
FIVA?
The “Fédération Internationale des Véhicules
Anciens” (FIVA) was founded in 1966 in response to an
idea formulated by a handful of organisations representing
the interests of historic vehicle enthusiasts within a number
of different countries. The founders felt that the time had
come for an international body to promote and guide the interests
of the historic vehicle movement throughout the world. At
present FIVA can boast over 85 member organisations in more
than 62 countries throughout the world, which in turn represent
more than 1.500.000 historic vehicle enthusiasts.
FIVA’s primary objective is to encourage the safe use
of self-propelled, mechanical vehicles, more than thirty years
old, on the roads for the benefit of both their owners, dedicated
enthusiasts and the general public. To that end FIVA, through
its Events’ Commission, has devised its own code for
the safe promotion of rallies or mildly competitive events,
and in concert with the European Commission, has recently
published a Drivers’ Code for more general guidance of
historic vehicle users, which can be downloaded here.
FIVA is also concerned with the preservation of historic vehicles,
which are accepted as being an important part of our industrial
heritage. More
Good
chance that super grade 97 (RON) petrol has no ethanol
The fuel
distribution logistics are a factor so it is not always easy
to know exactly which forecourts are selling ethanol-free
super premium, and which are selling that grade with some
added ethanol. More
Posted: 010312
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E10
is definitely not going to be introduced in the
UK in 2013
One of the key messages which came from a recent
meeting between the Department for Transport (DfT),
FBHVC member clubs and representatives of oil companies
and fuel retailers was E10 is definitely not going
to be introduced in the UK in 2013. It was widely
believed that E10 would be a reality in 2013, but
the clarification was welcome news for historic
car enthusiasts as there are are some 4 million
vehicles in the UK which are not compatible with
E10.
Good chance that super grade 97 (RON) petrol
has no ethanol
During the discussions of the fuel distribution
issues another interesting point emerged - if you
buy super premium petrol with an octane quality
of 97(RON) or above then there is a high probability
that it does not contain ethanol. However, the fuel
distribution logistics are a factor so it is
not always easy to know exactly which forecourts
are selling ethanol-free super premium, and which
are selling that grade with some added ethanol.
This grade still represents the best chance of minimising
or avoiding ethanol, albeit with a cost penalty.
Following the meeting we hear the FBHVC are looking
into the suggestion the Federation should collaborate
with the oil industry to try to establish a more
detailed and accurate picture of where ethanol-free
super premium petrol could be obtained for those
interested in buying it. This will only be a temporary
respite as it is clear that ethanol is not going
to go away, and that a sensible strategy for historic
car owners is to learn to live with it. A further
NEWS item will follow on this topic.
Biofuels have a lower mpg than non biofuel petrol
One effect of running a car on biofuel like E5 is
the reduced miles per gallon because the energy
generated per unit volume of biofuel is less than
non biofuel petrol. So opting for super premium
97 (RON) fuel to minimise your chances of biofuel
in your purchase at the filling station pump will
also produce a better mpg than running on biofuel
thereby offsetting to some extent the price premium
paid for the super grade fuel.
Three pronged approach to compatibility, corrosion
and combustion
In previous biofuel NEWS items we have mentioned
the key areas of concern with biofuel in historic
cars for historic car owners are the "Three
Cs" - compatibility, corrosion and combustion.
In a press release following the DfT meeting the
approach advocated by the Federation is:
Compatibility: move progressively to the
use of compatible materials as this becomes necessary.
Corrosion: employ a proven corrosion inhibitor
in the fuel tank as a precautionary measure. Ethanol
absorbs moisture, particularly when standing in
a vehicle laid up over the winter months, which
can lead to corrosion of the fuel tank and fuel
system. We are waiting for the results of the tests
on anticorrosion addtives being undertaken by the
FBHVC from which the Federation hopes to create
an endorsement scheme for such additives that its
tests have demonstrated do have a beneficial corrosion
inhibiting performance for historic cars. Those
tests have suffered two difficulties with consequential
delays but it is hoped they will be concluded soon
and the results published in the next month or so.
Combustion: adjust mixture strength to counteract
the leaning effect of ethanol in the blend and reroute
fuel feed lines and/or employ baffles or other thermal
barrier devices to reduce heat transfer from the
engine to the liquid side of the fuel metering system
on the vehicle remains a valid and commonsense approach
to the potential problems of the use of fuels containing
ethanol.
Lobbying for the continued availability of both
traditional fuels and E5
The
last FBHVC newsletter reported the international
organisation, FIVA, has submitted views to the European
Commission on a consultation on the future infrastructure
requirement to ensure the increased use of alternative
fuels in the EU. The submission stated FIVA's view
that both traditional fuels and E5 must remain
available on the market to ensure the continued
use of historic vehicles because experience has
also shown significant technical problems for historic
vehicles from the use of E10 - with vehicles most
likely to be affected being vehicles ten years old
or older, carburettored vehicles and first generation
direct spark ignition vehicles.
See
a copy of the FBHVC press release on the DfT Fuel
Stakeholder meeting. More |
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