High octane mid-level ethanol blends such as E25 and E40 could offer significant benefits for the US, according to a study by three US Department of Energy (DoE) laboratories.

The gains from using such blends in future optimised engines include improved vehicle efficiency, increased acceleration and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions.

“I am pleased that this report recognizes and confirms what we’ve said for a number of years – automakers can take advantage of ethanol’s high octane properties to achieve the administration’s ambitious climate goals,” Chris Bliley of US ethanol lobby group Growth Energy commented in a statement last week.

As E25 and E40 contain more octane, automakers can produce more efficient engines without compromising performance, Growth Energy explained. This would lead both to savings for consumers and emissions reductions.

The report says that dedicated HOF