Office of Transportation EPA420-F-06-068
~ted States and Air Quality October 2006
Environmental Protection
Agency
Program %SmartWay
Overview Grow&Go
Grow & Go: Frequent Questions
SmartWay What is SmartWay Grow & Go?
GrOW & Go SmartWay Grow & Go is a program developed by the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) to promote the environmental benefits
of renewable fuels. The program will support President Bush's goal of
reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil and help improve our environ-
ment. This program creates a renewable fuel component for EPA's exist-
ing SmartWay Transport Partnership. EPA will work with its public-pri-
vate partners to implement the SmartWay Grow & Go goals.
What are the goals of SmartWay Grow & Go?
By working with our current and prospective SmartWay Transport part-
ners, the SmartWay Grow & Go program aims to promote the environ-
mental benefits of renewable fuels. By 2012, EPA's goal is for 25 per-
cent of our SmartWay partners to commit to use renewable fuels, and by
2020 to have 50 percent of our partners commit to use renewable fuels.
Through SmartWay Grow &Go, EPA and its partners will expand techni-
cal information about renewable fuels and increase public awareness of
their environmental benefits. In addition, EPA will work with our federal
partners and others to clarify and streamline the regulatory framework,
which will remove barriers to the increased use of quality renewable
fuels.
-------
Renewable
Fuels
What are the environmental benefits of E85 and
biodiesel?
Renewable fuels help improve our environment by reducing emissions
of harmful pollutants. E85 reduces emissions of carbon monoxide (CO)
and benzene, a known human carcinogen, while the use of biodiesel cuts
emissions of CO, particulate matter (PM), and sulfates. Certain emis-
sions such as acetaldehyde (E85) and NOx (biodiesel) increase with the
use of these fuels, but overall, these fuels provide important emissions
benefits.
Do renewable fuels help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions?
In addition to pollution reduction, renewable fuels can help reduce
our nation's greenhouse gas emissions. When made from corn, E85
decreases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a lifecycle basis (which
include the energy required to grow and process corn into ethanol) by 15
to 20 percent as compared to gasoline. E85 made from cellulose can cut
emissions by around 70 percent. B100 reduces lifecycle GHG emissions
by more than 50 percent, while B20 reduces GHG emissions by at least
10 percent.
Any other benefits?
Because Grow & Go focuses on renewable fuels made from domesti-
cally-produced materials, this initiative will help reduce our dependence
on foreign oil and support America's farming communities.
Does it take more energy to make renewable fuels
than is actually in the fuel?
EPA has concluded that ethanol and biodiesel generate more energy than
the fossil fuel energy used to produce these fuels. Corn ethanol generates
about 30 percent more energy than the fossil fuel energy used to produce
it, while biodiesel generates about 50 percent more energy.
It's also important to consider how these fuels compare to the conven-
tional gasoline and diesel fuels they're replacing. Over the entire life-
cycle of producing and using it, corn ethanol reduces petroleum use by
over 90 percent compared to gasoline. Biodiesel reduces petroleum use
by about 85 percent compared to diesel fuel.
-------
How much ESS and biodiesel is sold today?
In 2004, the latest year for which sales information is available, around
34 million gallons of E85 were sold. In 2005, 75 million gallons of
B100 were sold. In comparison, an average of about 200 billion gallons
of gasoline and diesel fuel is sold in the U.S. each year.
Where can I find ESS and/or biodiesel?
You can find E85 at more than 1,000 fueling stations across the coun-
try. Biodiesel is available in various blends (B5, B20, B100) at roughly
600 stations. For a detailed list and map of locations, please visit DOE's
Alternative Fuel Station Locator at: www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/
infrastructure/locator.html.
E85 What is the difference between a flex fuel vehicle
and a conventional vehicle?
FFVs feature specially-designed fuel systems and other components that
allow a vehicle to operate on a mixture of gasoline and ethanol that can
be up to 85 percent ethanol. These cars and trucks have the same power,
acceleration, payload, and cruise speed as conventionally fueled vehicles.
Maintenance is also very similar.
Why can't ESS be used in a conventional vehicle?
E85 use in a conventional, gasoline-only vehicle can cause a range of
mechanical problems. The problems include engine failure, damage to
fuel components, illumination of the check engine light, and emissions
increases.
I've heard that a conventional vehicle can be con-
verted to run on ESS. What is EPA's position on
this?
It is technically possible to convert a conventional gasoline vehicle to run
on E85; however, such conversions would likely be illegal unless they
are certified by EPA. To date EPA has not certified any converted vehi-
cles. In addition, these conversions may violate the vehicle warranty.
-------
Does the use of E85 reduce fuel economy?
Because ethanol contains less energy than gasoline, E85 reduces vehicle
fuel economy and range by 20-30 percent. Vehicles can be designed to
be optimized for E85, which would reduce or eliminate this tendency.
However, no such vehicles are currently on the market.
In many parts of the country, ESS is as expensive as
or more expensive than gasoline. When combined
with the fuel economy penalty, this is a significant
obstacle to greater E85 use. How will Grow & Go
address these challenges?
Recent prices have been high due to many factors, including high
demand for ethanol resulting from the phase-out of methyl tertiary butyl
ether (MTBE), a fuel gasoline similar to ethanol. However, ethanol
prices have come down from the highs observed earlier this year. In
addition, increased supply (about 40 new ethanol plants are currently
under construction) should further reduce prices in the coming year. In
addition, price is not the only factor that has limited growth in E85.
Access to and information about E85 also has been limited. Grow & Go
and our partners will address this through greater outreach and education
efforts.
Biodiesel Is cooking oil (or restaurant grease) biodiesel?
No. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from agricultural resources
such as vegetable oils. To make biodiesel, the base oil is put through
a process called "esterification." Esterficiation uses a certain type of
industrial alcohol (ethanol or methanol) to remove the glycerin from the
cooking oil, making it thinner, lighter, and cleaner burning. Cooking oil
or recycled greases from restaurants have not been processed into esters
are not biodiesel, and are not registered by EPA for legal use in vehicles.
What about kits that allow you car to run on cooking
oil?
Cooking oil is thicker, heavier, and does not burn as well as regular auto
fuel. Because it doesn't burn as well, it is likely to cause more pollution
than other types of auto fuel. Vehicles converted to use these oils would
likely need to be certified by EPA; to date, EPA has not certified any
vegetable oil conversions. Lastly, these conversions may violate vehicle
warranties.
-------
I've heard reports of low-quality biodiesel damag-
ing vehicles. What is EPA doing to ensure biodiesel
quality?
Generally speaking, biodiesel purchased from a reputable dealer sell-
ing commercial-grade biodiesel should be of good quality. Each manu-
facturer of biodiesel is required to be registered by the EPA. As part of
the registration process, the manufacturer provides evidence that it can
produce biodiesel that meets standards set by ASTM, a group whose fuel
standards are almost universally recognized by government entities in the
United States.
In addition, the National Biodiesel Board, the national trade association
for biodiesel producers, has a voluntary accreditation and quality assur-
ance program called BQ-9000. It is managed by an independent organi-
zation, the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission, and certifies
biodiesel producers and distributors. For more information, please visit:
www.bq-9000.org.
More
Information
Does biodiesel increase emissions of NOx? What is
EPA's position?
A 2002 EPA summary analysis of existing data suggests vehicles using
biodiesel may emit slightly more nitrogen oxide (NOx)— about 2 percent
for B20 and 10 percent for B100. Subsequent studies have yielded mixed
results, with some showing small increases and others showing small
decreases. EPA plans a further investigation to fully assess this issue,
including the emissions impact of using biodiesel in vehicles equipped
with PM traps and NOx aftertreatment designed to meet strict new emis-
sion standards.
Where can I find more information?
For additional information on the Grow & Go program, please visit EPA's
Web site at: www.epa. gov/smartwav/growandgo.
------- |