Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law legislation to repeal the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol, according to the Special Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Under previous law, the Florida Renewable Fuels Standard required that all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler in Florida contain 9 to 10 percent ethanol, or other alternative fuel, by volume.
Ethanol increases water formation, which can then corrode metals, 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 ’01 cars and parts may be most susceptible to corrosion, SEMA noted.
The life span of vehicles and equipment can be dramatically reduced with the wrong fuel and owners are often confronted with breakdowns, SEMA noted. While the ethanol mandate did not apply to fuel used in collector vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles or small engines, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at [email protected].
