What’s Happening with Enhanced Ethanol-Blended Fuel?

The Trump administration announced in late 2018 it would end certain limits on blending higher concentrations of ethanol with gasoline. The process of putting that into practice is in the hands of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which faces a May 2019 deadline to complete that work. Amid speculation the government shutdown slowed the process, EPA subsequently said in a Reuters report that the rule would be completed in time for the summer driving season. 

If that occurs, the days of fuel-dispensing outlets that offer E15 changing-out labels that state the fuel is safe for vehicles manufactured in 2001 or later (temporarily replacing them with labels about the summer-time E15 prohibition) might soon be over.

In 2011, EPA approved E15 for use in light-duty conventional vehicles of model year 2001 and newer, through a Clean Air Act waiver request, based on significant testing and research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The EPA’s position had been that summertime use of E15 puts more emissions into the atmosphere than smog-regulations permit. Ethanol producers disagree with this assessment.

Demand for E15

Fuel-dispensing outlets are likely assessing how much more demand there might be for E15 on a year-round basis. The U.S. Department of Energy states E15 is not widely available; sold at more than 1,400 stations in 29 states. But an interesting article on this topic appeared in American Agriculturalist, which noted in part that “…retailers are seeing higher demand for E15 when it is added as a choice. Having the Trump administration make the move to make it a year-round fuel could open the door to more sales, too…”

Stations are not required to sell E15, but some have started offering E15 due to equipment grants and better profit margins when compared with regular gasoline. Consumer education about the differences between E10 and E15 will almost certainly increase over time. An article in Axle Addict  gives E15 an edge with emissions, improved fuel economy, and engine performance. “And even though E15 has higher octane than E10, it normally costs less per gallon.”

There are additional regulations for stations selling blends above E10. For more information, visit the Department of Energy’s Codes, Standards, and Safety web page.