News Release NR-2808

Handbook Outlines Proper Handling, Storage and Distribution of E85

August 21, 2008

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently updated the "Handbook for Handling, Storing, and Dispensing E85," a comprehensive booklet that details the proper and safe use of E85, a domestically produced alternative fuel composed of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

Increasing gasoline prices and a growing number of initiatives have put E85 in the spotlight. As a result, demand for E85 infrastructure and ethanol-capable flexible fuel vehicles are on the rise. The update of this industry-recognized handbook will help E85 blenders, distributors and retailers respond to escalating demand for the fuel. The report details everything from fuel specifications and safety procedures to equipment costs and E85 quality assurance and includes helpful checklists and industry-standard data sheets.

Published for the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, the handbook includes extensive input from industry.

"This publication is a strong example of Clean Cities carrying out its mission to educate its stakeholders and the public on the use of alternative fuels and vehicles," Technology Deployment Manager and Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith said. "Its user-friendly, technically sound format provides an accurate, understandable framework for the safe installation and dispensing of E85."

To download the "Handbook for Handling, Storing, and Dispensing E85," visit the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Web site at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/41853.pdf.

Clean Cities is a government-industry partnership sponsored by DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program. With 86 active coalitions and more than 5,400 stakeholders across the country, its mission is to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Clean Cites promotes alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy measures, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction technologies.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle.

 

For further information contact NREL Public Relations at (303) 275-4090.