E-15 Fuel Not Approved for Snowmobiles

A study has been conducted by the Michigan Technological University and released by the US Department of Energy to evaluate the effects of E-15 fuel on current and legacy snowmobile engines. As a result of the study, E-15 fuel is not approved for use in snowmobiles.

Three test scenarios were conducted to evaluate the impact of E-15 including cold-start performance and emissions; snowmobile drivability; and laboratory exhaust emissions over the useful life of the engine. Eight engines were tested over a two year period. The vehicles were tested in the laboratory and on the trail in real life driving conditions.

Observations made during the study support the US EPA’s decision to NOT APPROVE E-15 fuel for snowmobiles.

The 69-page study highlights that one of the key issues related to snowmobiles is that exhaust gas temperatures and muffler exit temperature consistently increase with the use of E-15 fuel. The increased temperatures range from 15 to 40 percent, depending on the vehicle. This rise in temperature occurs because of the leaner air-fuel mixture.

The complete study is available online at http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/60115.pdf