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An overview of Phase 1 of the Auto/Oil Air Quality Improvement Research Program is presented. Specific information is provided on each of the individual test fuel matrices that were conducted to investigate vehiclelfuel “system” effects on emissions. Procedures for sampling exhaust, evaporative, and running loss vehicle emissions are described, as well as techniques developed for speciation of individual hydrocarbons. Air quality models to project ozone reduction potential of reformulated gasolines and methanol, and economic studies to estimate the relative cost-effectiveness of the vehiclelfuel alternatives are also briefly explained.

This report presents the Auto/Oil AQIRP results of a methanol fueled vehicle emission study. Nineteen early prototype flexible/variable fueled vehicles (FFV/VFV) were emission tested with industry average gasoline (M0), an 85% methanol-gasoline blend (M85), and a splash-blend of M85 with M0 (gasoline) giving 10% methanol (M10). Vehicle emissions were analyzed for the FTP exhaust emissions, SHED diurnal and hot soak evaporative emissions, and running loss evaporative emissions. Measurements were made for HC, CO and NOx emissions and up to 151 organic emission species, including air toxic components. M0 and M10 emissions were very similar except for elevated M10 evaporative emissions resulting from the high M10 fuel vapor pressure. M85 showed lower exhaust emissions than M0 for NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbon), OMHCE (organic material hydrocarbon equivalent), CO and most species. M85 had higher exhaust emissions for NMOG (non-methane organic gases), NOx, methanol and formaldehyde.

Exhaust and evaporative emissions from three flexible/variable fuel vehicles (FFV/VFV) were measured as the vehicles operated on E85 fuel (a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) or on gasoline. One vehicle was a production vehicle designed for ethanol fuels and sold in 1992-93 and the other two vehicles were prototypes which were recalibrated 1992 model year methanol FFV's. The gasolines tested were Industry Average Fuel A and a reformulated gasoline Fuel C2 that met California 1996 regulatory requirements. The gasoline component of Fuel E85 was based on the reformulated gasoline. The major findings from this three-vehicle program were that E85 reduced NOx 49% compared to Fuel A and 37% compared to Fuel C2, but increased total toxics 108% (5 mg/mi) and 255% (20 mg/mi), respectively, primarily by increasing acetaldehyde. The NOx effect was significant for both engine-out and tailpipe emissions.