california'sroad to e15
Get California
on the road to e15
E15 is a 15% bioethanol fuel blend that can boost octane while burning cleaner and cooler than conventional gasoline. In 2011, the U.S. EPA approved E15 for all light-duty vehicles Model Year 2001 and newer and all Flex Fuel vehicles. Since then, Americans have driven more than 100 billion miles on El5. Today, the nation's 245 million E15-approved cars, pickups, and SUVs represent more than 96% of vehicles on the road.
Despite the fuel's many benefits and longtime use of other bioethanol blends like ElO and E85, California is now the only state where E15 is prohibited.
E15 compliments California's climate and air quality goals. Even with large numbers of new electric vehicles entering the fleet, millions of gasolinepowered engines will be on the road in California for decades to come. E15 gives Californians the freedom to fuel those engines with the cleanest and most affordable fuel option available.
FUELS SAVINGS
AT THE PUMPE15 saves money without sacrificing fuel economy. Last year, Americans saved an average of 22 cents per gallon with E15 compared to E10 gasoline based on reported prices at the pump, with savings reaching 40-60 cents less per gallon. Department of Energy test program data "showed no statistically significant loss of vehicle performance (emissions, fuel economy, and maintenance issues) attributable to the use of E15 fuel compared to straight gasoline."
CUTS CLIMATE
EMISSIONSE15 is better for our planet because it reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the fuel supply. Recent studies prove that plant-based bioethanol reduces lifecycle emissions by 40-46% compared to standard gasoline. In fact, a study by Air Improvement Resource, Inc. showed shifting from El0 to E15 in California would cut 1.8 million metric tons of GHG emissions annually, equivalent to removing 411,000 cars off the road.
IMPROVES AIR
QUALITYBioethanol replaces benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) in gasoline. BTX is harmful to human health and linked to adverse developmental, reproductive, immunological, and cardio-pulmonary effects. By reducing tailpipe and evaporative emissions, including carbon monoxide, particulates, and volatile organic compounds, E15 can improve air quality in high-traffic neighborhoods that disproportionately suffer from air pollution and related health risks.
UTILIZES EXISTING
INFRASTRUCTUREMost of California's existing fuel infrastructure is E15-ready. Numerous reports by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Energy, EPA, and others confirm most underground storage tanks made in the last 30 years are approved up to 100% bioethanol, and most fuel dispensing equipment is manufacturer-approved for E15. California's bulk storage tanks and railcars are also easily repurposed from petroleum to biofuel.
