The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in a very difficult position. Ethanol producers are convincing the agency to raise the ethanol content in gasoline to 15 percent (E15). Meanwhile, automakers and oil companies are protesting against the move, saying that the raise can damage engines. They want to keep the ethanol level at a safe 10 percent (E10).

Without enough concrete evidence, though, that the E15 can indeed damage engines, the EPA may be forced to approve the raise of ethanol levels in gasoline. This presents a challenge for automakers, now, to come up with actual tests to back up their claims. According to a report in New York Times, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers already has sufficient data to prove the E15’s damage.

The alliance is represented by 11 car manufacturers including General Motors. GM biofuel implementation manager Coleman Jones said that the E15 caused engines to overheat, damaged the cylinder walls, and compromised the vehicles’ catalytic converters. At least fifty percent of the tested engines showed this problem. According to Jones, the E15 fuel can leave a lot of commuters stranded.

While the debacle between car manufacturers, oil companies, and ethanol producers have been going on for some time now, auto makers are begging for the E15 approval to be postponed according to New Car Fuels. At least, they said, until further engine tests have been completed.

On the other side of the fence, furious ethanol producers express their need for the switch to be imposed as soon as possible because they’re already losing too much money, as it is.