Investigation of 2-Wheeler Performance, Emissions, Driveability and Durability: Effect of Ethanol-blended Gasoline

The special blended fuel - gasohol E10 (RON 91) used for the test was prepared to the gasoline RON 91 specification. The test vehicles were six four-stroke motorcycles. Testing results for motorcycle emissions, performance and driveability were compared with gasoline RON 91. Furthermore, the four-stroke and two-stroke motorcycle engines were tested for their durability and performance, comparing gasoline and gasohol E10.

The chemical properties of the specially blended gasohol E10 was almost the same as gasoline RON 91 except the 3% lower heating value and the lower stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio, i.e., 14.2 for gasohol E10 and 14.6 for gasoline RON 91. The results of vehicle performance and emissions comparing gasohol E10 and gasoline RON 91 showed that gasohol E10 had better fuel economy when operating with the low to medium speed conditions. Moreover, the use of gasohol E10 would significantly reduce the exhaust hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide, while the carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen were increased. The motorcycle performance at high engine speed was lower when running with gasohol E10.

Recently, the result of engine durability test whether for 100 hrs-high speed cycle or 100 hrs - composite cycle showed that the four-stroke motorcycle engine running with gasohol E10 would have more part wear and higher engine oil degradation.