High-Octane Low-Carbon

Next Generation Fuels Act Would Significantly Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Move to Higher Ethanol Blends

The Next Generation Fuels Act, which was recently reintroduced in Congress, would require that automakers phase in higher levels of clean, low-carbon octane by model year 2031. The higher the octane, the more efficiently the engine uses energy.

As a clean octane standard, the bill requires that sources of additional octane result in at least 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than unblended gasoline and sets new limits on toxic hydrocarbon aromatics. Corn ethanol is an effective, low-carbon octane source, providing the greatest fuel efficiency gains at the least cost to drivers while reducing GHG and tailpipe emissions.

Learn more about the various benefits of high-octane low-carbon fuel below.

Corn ethanol is uniquely positioned to play a larger role in future transportation fuels as it is affordable, abundant, and renewable, making it a good source for high-octane low-carbon fuels.

Ethanol provides an affordable, abundant, and renewable source of high octane, low carbon motor fuel. Society continues to ask for lower-carbon products. In response, automakers are seeking affordable, higher octane motor fuels enabling them to unlock increased efficiency gains within future spark-ignition engines. Corn ethanol is the only commercially available product capable of meeting and exceeding all these asks: Low-Carbon, High-Octane, Affordable, Abundant, and Renewable!

Octane is a measurement of fuel’s ability to resist Octane (Anti-Knock Index - AKI) is the number you see at the gas pump today. Octane is a measurement of fuel’s ability to resist premature ignition. Consistent, controlled, and predictable ignition of fuel is required for optimal engine performance. Premature ignition can lead to engine knocking resulting in decreased performance, decreased efficiency, increased emissions, and potential engine damage if left untreated. Today’s engines are designed and optimized to operate within specific fuel octane ranges. However, future internal combustion engines (ICE) will require higher octane fuels to fully utilize new technology and deliver substantial gains in efficiency.

America’s corn farmers maintain a vested interest in the future of liquid fuels. Today, nearly every gallon of gasoline in the U.S. is at least 10 percent ethanol derived from corn.

To understand ethanol’s vital role as the world’s leading octane additive, as well as it’s increasing value as a low carbon solution, requires a full appreciation of both characteristics.

NCGA, state partners, industry partners, and automakers continue working on initiatives to get high-octane low-carbon fuel to the marketplace.

Driving Demand Through Ethanol (Aug 13, 2020):

NCGA Chairman and Nebraska farmer Lynn Chrisp talks about why he got involved with the state and national organizations and why ethanol is such an important market for corn farmers.

Longevity in the Ethanol Market (Aug 13, 2020):

America’s corn farmers maintain a vested interest in the future of liquid fuels. Today, nearly every gallon of gasoline in the U.S. is at least 10 percent ethanol derived from corn. NCGA First Vice President John Linder talks about how he got involved with NCGA and why ethanol is an important market for America’s corn farmers.

The Importance of Ethanol to Corn Farmers (Aug 13, 2020):

Corn ethanol is uniquely positioned to play a larger role in future transportation fuels. NCGA, state partners and automakers continue working on initiatives to get high-octane low-carbon fuel to the marketplace. NCGA President Kevin Ross talks about how he got involved with the Iowa Corn Growers Association and NCGA and outlines why growing the ethanol market is important for corn farmers.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Aug 13, 2020):

Brian West is the former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Brian talks about the research and engine work that happens at ORNL.

Automakers are seeking affordable, higher octane motor fuels enabling them to unlock increased efficiency gains within future spark-ignition engines.

While there are many potential sources of additional octane in future fuels, ethanol is the only commercially available product that can check all of these boxes: Low Carbon, High Octane, Affordable, Abundant and Renewable! The National Corn Growers Association, in partnership with state corn organizations, continue their efforts to shape long-term future domestic demand for U.S. produced corn-based ethanol.

Why should you care about High-Octane Low-Carbon fuels?

Domestic Market Demand: A high-octane low-carbon fuel in the marketplace, once fully implemented, increases long-term annual ethanol usage by more than 5 billion gallons. That’s equal to over 1.8 billion bushels of new annual corn demand.(1)
Domestic Energy Independence: More ethanol means less reliance on foreign oil. In 2018, ethanol displaced 594 million barrels of crude oil.
Future Engine Performance: Automakers are asking for a higher-octane fuel standard allowing new technology capable of delivering substantial gains in engine efficiency and performance.
Environmental Impact: In 2018, the use of ethanol in gasoline reduced CO2-equivalent Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from vehicles in the U.S. by 55.1 million metric tons. That’s equal to removing 11.7 million cars from the road for an entire year!
Reduces the price at the Pump: Today regular gasoline without ethanol is oftentimes priced at well over a $0.50 higher compared to fuel containing a minimum of E10. Higher blends of ethanol in a future high-octane fuel would allow consumers access to a high-octane fuel without the high-octane price premium we see today.

1-Implementation gradually spread over the next 20 years

Ethanol is the Best Source for Octane (Aug 13, 2020)

To understand ethanol’s vital role as the world’s leading octane additive, as well as it’s increasing value as a low-carbon solution, requires a full appreciation of both characteristics. NCGA Chairman and Nebraska farmer Lynn Chrisp talks about why ethanol is the best source of octane.

The Need for High-Octane Low-Carbon Fuel and Auto Manufacturers (Aug 13, 2020)

Corn ethanol is uniquely positioned to play a larger role in future transportation fuels. NCGA, state partners and automakers continue working on initiatives to get high-octane low-carbon fuel to the marketplace. NCGA First Vice President John Linder discusses why auto manufacturers are looking for a higher octane low carbon fuel.

The Impact of Ethanol Growth on Rural America (Aug 13, 2020)

Ethanol is a commercially available, high-octane, low-carbon, affordable source of octane that stands ready to reliably supply the U.S. motor fuel market with a homegrown fuel. NCGA President Kevin Ross discusses the benefits of increased ethanol blends for farmers and surrounding communities.

Engine Testing with Mid-Level Ethanol Blends (Aug 13, 2020)

Brian West is the former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In this clip, Brian talks about some of the results he saw with mid-level ethanol blends while conducting a test on a 3.5 liter Ford F-150 V6.

Assessing Fuel Economy and Emissions (Aug 13, 2020)

Brian West is the former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In this clip, Brian shows us how they assess fuel economy and emissions in a laboratory environment with mid-level ethanol blends.

How Fuel Impacts Compression Ratio (Aug 13, 2020)

Brian West is the former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In this clip, Brian talks about how high-octane low-carbon fuels impact compression ratio.

Efficiency Gains from Octane (Aug 13, 2020)

Brian West is the former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Brian talks about efficiency gains with mid-level ethanol blends.

The Benefits of Higher Octane Fuel for Engine Technology (Aug 13, 2020)

Why does a higher octane fuel matter? Brian West, former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, explains why.

Why Octane Matters for Spark-Ignition Engines (Aug 13, 2020)

Brian West talks about the importance of octane and why it matters to engine technology. Brian is the former Group Leader for the Fuels and Engines Research Group at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, explains why.

High-Octane Low-Carbon News

January 17, 2024

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March 22, 2023

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March 21, 2023

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February 13, 2023

NCGA to EPA: Higher Renewable Fuel Volumes Good for Economy, Energy Security and Environment

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February 10, 2023

Reduced Ethanol Demand Drives Corn Ending Stocks Higher

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August 23, 2022

NCGA Applauds New Round of USDA Grants to Extend Infrastructure for Biofuels

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is now accepting...

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February 16, 2022

Senators Highlight Environmental, Economic Value of Ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard

Three U.S. senators today highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of corn ethanol...

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September 9, 2021

Group Spotlights Biofuel Benefits for California’s Carbon-Neutral Future

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September 1, 2021

EP. 23 - Congressional Rep. Cheri Bustos and the Next Generation Fuels Act: A Full Tank of Good Policy

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August 26, 2021

Next Generation Fuels Act Provides Key Piece of the Clean Energy Solution

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today welcomed the reintroduction of The Next...

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