E15
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently granted a waiver to allow the sale of E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) for vehicles model year 2001 and newer only. As you can imagine, this is not something easily integrated in today's gasoline stations, but it is a step in the right direction. The ethanol industry asked for E15 to be allowed in all vehicles, or at least those 1994 and newer, but that request remains unfulfilled. This would include more than 80% of the vehicles on the road today.
Pictured here is the label the RFA has proposed to the EPA for consideration:
Please note that ONLY 2001 and newer light-duty cars and trucks, 2001 and newer medium-duty passenger vehicles and all flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can use E15. This is not a mandate, and will not be required. This is an opportunity for station owners to bring yet another choice to consumers at the pump.
When will you see E15 available? It will likely be several months. There are highly technical issues that must be addressed to allow E15 to be sold in all 50 states. As EPA has rightly observed, “It’s also important to remember that there are a number of additional steps that must be completed – many of which are not under EPA or DOE control – to allow the sale and distribution of E-15. These include but are not limited to: testing on dispensing equipment; changes to state laws to allow for the use of E15; and completion of the fuels registration process by industry.”
In time, E15 will be another option for over 50% of the vehicles on the roads today. That number will grow every year, helping to lessen our continued dependence on foreign oil, while reducing the damage to the environment.
Choose Ethanol!
