Motorists may face yet another handle at the gas pump — in addition to the E-85 and normal motor fuel choices at this gas station. The new E-15 would be for use only in vehicles built since 2007.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it now will allow up to 15% ethanol to be blended with gasoline in motor fuel — but only for use in cars and trucks built since 2007.

Engine valve damaged by carbon buildup from fuel with 20% ethanol. The blend created resin in a fiberglass boat fuel tank and the resulting gunk coated the valve. Leer más »

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell plans to form an ethanol and fuel distribution joint venture worth up to $12 billion with Brazilian sugar and biofuel giant Cosan, becoming the latest global energy company to buy into one of Brazil’s fastest-growing industries.

The deal, announced on Monday, marks Shell’s first foray into ethanol production and follows moves by British oil company BP, which in 2008 took a stake in a big Brazilian biofuel project and unveiled $1 billion in investments.

Cosan shares jumped 12 percent in Sao Paulo, compared with a 1.1 percent gain by the benchmark Bovespa index. Shell shares rose 1.1 percent in London, outperforming a 0.3 percent rise in the Dow Jones European oil and gas index. Leer más »