Here’s What You Need To Know About E15 Gas As Trump Moves To Lower Pump Prices
The Trump administration is allowing the sale of gasoline containing ethanol in the face of rising gas prices that have angered many Americans in an election year.
The US Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 25 that it “has issued a temporary fuel exemption to allow the nationwide sale of E15, a gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, and to remove all federal restrictions on the sale of E10, a gasoline blended with 10% ethanol nationwide.”
The agency said the phase-out will begin on May 1, 2026, and will continue until May 20, 2026. The EPA noted that 20 days is the maximum window in which they can approve additional uses of ethanol under the Clean Air Act.
“The EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans this summer,” EPA Administrator Zeldin said in a statement. “This emergency action will provide relief to American families by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice.”
The EPA’s announcement comes as the average cost of gas rose to $3.98 per gallon on Thursday, March 26, from an average of $3.88 per gallon on March 16, according to the AAA Auto Club.
What is E10 and E15 Gas?
E10 is gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, while E15 is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. Most of the finished motor fuel sold in the United States is E10, and most of the E15 gas available in the US is currently sold in the Midwest, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
The EPA said E15 is currently offered at more than 3,000 gas stations nationwide, which the agency said serves as an “affordable option for Americans.”
The agency said of its May 1 release decision, “without this action, E15 fuel cannot be used in nearly half of the country this summer.”
Environmental groups have criticized the idea of expanding the use of ethanol in gas in the past, saying it emits the same pollutants as regular gas.
How Much Does E15 Gas Cost?
The standard price of E15 is not tracked as closely as the price of regular gas. A 2023 study by the Renewable Fuels Association showed that drivers will save about 25 cents per liter if they use E15 gas.
The study found that the last time gasoline prices nationwide approached $4 a liter in 2022, regular E10 gas was about $3.68 per liter, and E15 gas was about $3.41 per liter.
Will Using E15 Gas Damage My Car?
The EPA says E15 gas can be used in convertible gasoline vehicles and most vehicles made after 2001.
The agency said E15 gas cannot be used in the following types of vehicles:
- On-highway and off-road motorcycles;
- Heavy-duty motor vehicles, such as school buses, transit buses, and transport trucks;
- Off-road vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles;
- Engines for off-road machinery, such as lawn mowers and chain saws; or
- 2000 model year and older cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger cars.
Consumer Reports said in a post on its website that it agrees with the EPA that E15 gas is safe for most modern vehicles, but the group says drivers should “check your manual to see what type of fuel the manufacturer recommends” before turning to the cheap gas at the pumps this summer.
“If your car is a 2001 model or older you’ll probably find that the recommendation is no more than 10 percent ethanol, which is a common gas blend in the US One tank of E15 won’t kill your car, but it will affect it in the long run,” says Consumer Reports.
This article first appeared in USA TODAY: Here’s what you need to know about E15 gas as Trump moves to lower pump prices
Reporting by Keith Laing, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
