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A parametric analysis of future ethanol use in the light-duty transportation sector: Can the US meet its Renewable Fuel Standard goals without an enforcement mechanism?

The modified Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) prescribes a volume of biofuels to be used in the United States transportation sector each year through 2022. As the dominant component of the transportation sector, we consider the feasibility of the light-duty vehicle (LDV) parc to provide enough demand...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy policy 2014-02, Vol.65, p.419-431
Main Authors: Westbrook, Jessica, Barter, Garrett E., Manley, Dawn K., West, Todd H.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The modified Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) prescribes a volume of biofuels to be used in the United States transportation sector each year through 2022. As the dominant component of the transportation sector, we consider the feasibility of the light-duty vehicle (LDV) parc to provide enough demand for biofuels to satisfy RFS2. Sensitivity studies show that the fuel price differential between gasoline and ethanol blendstocks, such as E85, is the principal factor in LDV biofuel consumption. The numbers of flex fuel vehicles and biofuel refueling stations will grow given a favorable price differential. However, unless the feedstock price differential becomes extreme (biomass prices below $100 per dry ton and oil prices above $215 per barrel), which deviates from historical price trends, LDV parc biofuel consumption will fall short of the RFS2 mandate without an enforcement mechanism. Additionally, such commodity prices might increase biofuel consumption in the short-term, but discourage use of biofuels in the long-term as other technologies that do not rely on any gasoline blendstock may be preferable. Finally, the RFS2 program goals of reducing fossil fuel consumption and transportation greenhouse gas emissions could be achieved through other pathways, such as notable improvements in conventional vehicle efficiency. •At current commodity prices, the LDV fleet will not use enough biofuel to meet RFS2.•RFS2 can be met through the promotion of flex-fuel vehicles and their use of E85 fuel.•The gasoline-E85 price premium is the key factor in encouraging biofuel consumption.•RFS2 is satisfied at extreme oil prices (at least $215/barrel).•This oil price encourages biofuel use in the RFS2 timeframe, but not in the long run.
ISSN:0301-4215
1873-6777
DOI:10.1016/j.enpol.2013.10.030