The EPA recently announced plans to lower proposed fuel economy standards but automakers are still trying to eke out as much mileage as they can with current technology.
As part of this initiative, General Motors’ vice president of global propulsion systems recently travel to Washington, DC to lobby for increasing the octane of gasoline sold in the United States. According to Automotive News, Dan Nicholson told the committee that making 91 octane gasoline the new regular would be one of the most affordable ways to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
GM isn’t the only company pushing for higher grade gasoline as the report says Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are working with the United States Council for Automotive Research to make 91 octane fuel the new standard in the United States.
While AAA says the national average for premium fuel is currently 51 cents more than regular, Nicholson says 91 octane fuel would be significantly more affordable. This seems possible as mass production would likely result in lower prices.
Research has shown higher octane fuels can increase mileage and Nicholson recently told attendees of an industry panel that 91 octane fuel would be cost-effective. As he explained, “If you pick the right one [octane], it’ll actually work for customers. They can get around 3 percent fuel economy improvement for less than [a] 3 percent” increase in cost.
Nicholson’s emphasis on keeping gasoline affordable was echoed by Ford’s vice president of powertrain engineering who also testified in front of the committee. David Filipe told the panel “We don’t want to put the burden onto the customer” so the cost of 91 octane fuel shouldn’t be more than five cents higher than regular today.
In a later interview with The Detroit News, Nicholson said “The status quo is untenable.” He also noted improved fuels could be the only way to keep internal combustion engines viable.
