Temperatures aren’t the only thing rising as Americans look forward to summer vacation – gas prices are higher due to the increased amount of drivers on the road, along with OPEC’s recent decision to cut oil production by more than three million barrels per day. Thankfully, a growing number of retailers are offering consumers an affordable, sustainable fuel solution.
E15 – often marketed as Unleaded 88 – saves consumers money at the pump, all while increasing our country’s fuel supply and reducing greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions.
What is E15? Produced from corn, ethanol is a renewable biofuel used to make E15 – a fuel blend made up of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. E15 is approved for use in any 2001 and newer vehicle accounting for more than 96 percent of vehicles on the road. A comparison of pump prices from more than 550 retail stations during the past year shows drivers saved at least 25 cents per gallon with E15, and many retailers offer E15 at an even greater discount – adding up to real savings for working families.
Contributing to a Cleaner Future: Ethanol not only saves consumers money, it benefits the environment, too. A renewable fuel source, ethanol cuts greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to gasoline emissions. Higher ethanol blends like E15 have even lower evaporative and exhaust emissions, helping to decarbonize the transportation sector through cleaner fuels.
Where Can We Find It? The availability of E15 is growing in more than 30 states as both a low-carbon and cost-effective choice, and continued expansion supports America’s energy security against gas price fluctuation. E15 has been sold year-round for the past four years, but outdated regulatory barriers continue to hinder permanent full-market access to E15.
What’s Next? Last month, the EPA used existing authority to ensure consumers maintain uninterrupted access to E15 during this summer, but this is a temporary fix. In order to cement a permanent solution, we’re calling on Congress to pass the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act— a bipartisan bill ensuring permanent access to E15 fuel that would:
- Save Americans $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs
- Prevent future disruption in E15 availability, encouraging more retailers to offer this option.
- Serve as a significant step towards reaching America’s energy goals as we transition to cleaner fuel options.
Implementing policies that ensure permanent market access for E15 will save consumers money while taking a significant step in advancing our nation's long-term clean energy goals.
Stay informed and learn more about the benefits of ethanol:
- Ethanol In The News
- What Is Ethanol – Video
- How Policymakers Can Harness The Power Of America’s Farms For A Cleaner And Affordable Energy Future
- Three Ways Today’s Ethanol Advances A Clean, Affordable Energy Future