As the debate on E10 fuel continues, managing director of Andre’s Auto supplies, Andre Hylton, is charging that e10 fuel can damage the engine of certain vehicles.

Hylton is advocating that the authorities establish support mechanisms for persons with engines that are susceptible to damage from ethanol.

According to Hylton the water retention properties of the fuel can eventually lead to corrosion inside an engine.

He added that vehicles with carburettors could also experience corrosion of seals and gaskets that can damage the engine.

Hylton emphasised that he was not against the use of ethanol but said these issues had to be dealt with.

“It is not a widespread problem but it should be addressed,” he told Auto.

Hylton also charged that ethanol is more expensive than regular gasoline as the introductory price last year was subsidised by government.

Ethanol pros and cons

According to information from Petrojam and other sources Auto has collected the pros and cons regarding the use of ethanol.

The fuel is now used as a ten per cent mix in Jamaica to replace the dangerous additive MTBE which Auto understand will be phased out internationally in two years.

Pros

Renewable – Ethanol is a renewable fuel that comes from agricultural crops.

No special vehicle needed – Ethanol can be used by all gasoline vehicles in the United States in concentrations up to about 10 per cent. With slight alterations, former gasoline vehicles can run on ethanol blends as high as 85 per cent. Ethanol provides lower vehicle emissions without the need to purchase a hybrid vehicle.

Reduces fossil fuel imports – The use of ethanol can reduce the use of gasoline and the dependence oil thus reducing the foreign exchange demand.

Reduces air pollution – Ethanol reduces the amount of carbon monoxide and other ground-level toxic air pollutants as compared to conventional unleaded gasoline.

Domestic – Sugar cane is grown in Jamaica and ethanol factories already exist.

Cost-effective production – Ethanol is relatively inexpensive to process.

Boosts effectiveness of gasoline – Ethanol can help prevent engine knocking, and it increases gasoline’s lubricity. It also has detergent qualities and cleans the engine

Cons

Price – Ethanol can be more expensive than conventional gasoline.

Energy level – Ethanol contains less energy than gasoline. A car won’t go as far on a gallon of ethanol as it would on a gallon of conventional gasoline. The actual miles per gallon performance may vary depending on the vehicle.

Corrosive – Ethanol can damage rubber seals and gaskets in older vehicles.