Summary

This report covers the comprehensive work that has been done in the BEST project Work Package 3 on
low blends in diesel and petrol fuels. The report contains results and experiences from both tests and fleet
demonstrations. The WP3 Low blends comprised three tasks focusing on:
Studies and demonstration of E-diesel
Studies on introduction of low blends in petrol
Demonstration of E10 and HE15
The tested E-diesel fuels are;
E-diesel, which is a blend of 7.7 percent bioethanol 0.62 percent additive and diesel.
ED-diesel, which is a blend of 10 percent bioethanol derivative and 90 percent of diesel including
5 percent RME.
The tested low blends in petrol are;
E10, which is a blend of 10 percent anhydrous bioethanol in petrol.
HE15, which is a blend of 15 percent of hydrous bioethanol in petrol.
Studies have been made on both bench engine tests and full scale vehicle demonstration tests. The report
also includes knowledge and facts from other tests and fuel expertise. Lots of emission data has been
generated and are summarised for each fuel. The overall conclusion from the tests could be three fold;
- low blend of ethanol easily increase volume of renewable fuels,
- ethanol reduce, to some extent, the regulated emissions and finally,
- many more tests have to be accomplished before a definite result on environmental advantages
can be confirmed, especially for low blends in petrol.
The major conclusions are:
Low blends can be used in existing vehicle fleets and infrastructure without any alteration.
Low blends are an easy way to reduce CO2 and increase volume of renewable fuels. That could
reduce the dependence to fossil fuels and especially reduce the shortage of diesel in Europe.
Tax reduction or an obligation is required to get penetration on the market.
E-diesel and ED-diesel give a significant reduction on the regulated emissions and CO 2.
From a safety and handling point of view, ED-diesel is preferable prior to E-diesel because of the
very low flash point of E-diesel.
ED-diesel could be handled as diesel and even use the same pump facilities. Blending or
contamination of ED-diesel into diesel is not a problem.
HE15 and E10 have not shown any negative impact on engines in bench and fleet tests.
HE15 cannot be mixed with E10 or neat petrol and must have a separate infrastructure. Otherwise
there is an obvious risk of water separation in the fuel.
HE15 and E10 have not shown confirmed reductions of health hazardous emissions in the BEST
project tests, but fulfil the Euro4 standard. Further tests must be done to confirm possible
environmental advantages also regarding these emissions.
To wind up the report there are a list of recommendations to politicians, policy-makers, local decision
makers, fleet owners etc. In general, the BEST sites have observed a stronger preference in the EU for
low blends than high blends. However, the BEST experiences show that low blends will only contribute
to a certain amount to meet the 10 percent target on reduction of greenhouse gases.

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