BMW May Be First Automaker to Approve E25

Source: By Rachel Gantz, OPIS • Posted: Friday, January 29, 2016

BMW appears to be the first automaker to approve of ethanol blends up to 25% in one of its non-flexible fuel 2016 models, according to its owner’s manual.

According to the owner’s manual for the 2016 MINI Hardtop, obtained by OPIS, “[f]uels with a maximum ethanol content of 25%, ie, E10 or E25, may be used for refueling.”

Most automakers only support ethanol blends up to E15, unless the vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle, which can handle up to 85% ethanol.

Meantime, EPA approves E15 blends for MY 2011 and later vehicles; however automakers had previously been reticent to expand their warranties to the fuel blend.

Last month, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) analyzed 2016 model-year warranty statements, finding that manufacturers explicitly approve E15 in more than 70% of new vehicles.

It should be noted RFA also cited BMW’s E25 approval in its analysis.

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