Automakers Push for Higher Octane to Meet Fuel Economy Standards

CARS.COM — As cars get more efficient, fuel could become costlier for consumers. Automakers are pushing for the U.S. to embrace higher-octane gasoline to help meet the increasingly stringent federal fuel economy and carbon-emissions standards by the 2025 deadline. While higher octane can allow higher efficiency, it also means higher prices.

Related: Why Is Premium Gas So Expensive?

Powertrain executives from GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Honda made the plea at this week’s SAE 2016 World Congress & Exhibition in Detroit, according to Automotive News. During a panel discussion on future engine and transmission technology, the automakers agreed that an elevated octane standard of about 95 would be needed to meet standards set forth by federal corporate average fuel economy regulations, the trade journal reported.

For the most part U.S. gas has an octane range from 87 for regular unleaded gas to 93 for premium. Higher-compression engines that require premium fuel generally run more efficiently and have lower carbon emissions than those that burn regular gas. Increased use of turbocharging and direct injection have efficiently boosted horsepower in smaller engines, but automakers say it will be difficult to further boost power without raising the octane level, Automotive News stated.

Manufacturers addressing the topic in Detroit this week said they would need an octane of 95 on the Anti-Knock Index used in North America. That’s compared with the European Research Octane Number scale, which would rate the same fuel at an octane of 100, Automotive News stated. For consumers, that will mean higher prices at the pump, as premium gas generally runs about 50 cents a gallon more than regular.

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