AM-17-08 Higher Octane Gasoline via Olefins Management and Alkylation

Description:

In 2012, new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were set for vehicles up to model year (MY) 2025. By 2025, the expected corporate average fuel economy is 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. In July 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR) as part of the mid-term evaluation on how the auto industry has progressed towards this 2025 target. The report includes technological pathways that auto makers can adopt towards compliance, among which is implementation of higher compression ratio engines. One of the key conclusions of the report is that improvements in gasoline engines and more efficient gasoline-powered cars are projected to be the main way that auto makers will meet future standards without having to rely too heavily on hybrid or electric vehicles [1].