The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is backing off requiring all consumers buy at least four gallons when purchasing gasoline at pumps dispensing E15 ethanol blend fuel, reports the American Motorcyclist Association.

Earlier this year, the AMA raised concerns with the EPA about E15 fuel, pointing out the blend, which contains 15% ethanol, may be harmful to motorcycles and ATVs. The AMA was concerned fuel pumps providing both E15 and the safer E10 blend, which consists of up to 10% ethanol, may mistakenly cause riders to refuel their motorcycles with the higher concentration of ethanol because of potential residual E15 fuel in the gas pump hoses.

The EPA responded, saying it will require gas stations provide separate hoses for dispensing E15 and E10,  ethanol and safer for motorcycle engines. For stations that cannot provide dedicated hoses for E10 and E15, the EPA said it would require all consumers purchase more than 4 gallons of fuel in order to dilute the amount of ethanol left in the hoses.

This, of course, posed an even bigger problem as many motorcycles have fuel tanks smaller than 4 gallons. Continue Reading »