The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced that New Hampshire H.B. 1220, a bill to prohibit ethanol blended gasoline at levels greater than 10% (E10), has been approved by the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
The bill now goes to the Senate Transportation Committee. Under a House committee amendment, the bill would take effect only if any two additional New England states adopt similar legislation limiting the amount of corn-based ethanol in gasoline to 10%.
H.B. 1220 recognizes that ethanol increases water formation which can then corrode metals and dissolve plastics and rubber, especially over a period of time when the vehicle is not used. Current high-performance specialty parts along with pre-model year 2001 cars and parts may be most susceptible to corrosion.
SEMA says H.B. 1220 recognizes that the lifespan of vehicles and equipment can be dramatically reduced with the wrong fuel and that owners could be confronted with breakdowns. Anti-corrosion additives are available for each purchase of gasoline but can become expensive, burdensome and require consumer education.
