E15 Fuel Offers Savings at the Pump as Bipartisan Bill Advances in Congress

With U.S. gasoline prices still hovering around $4.00 per gallon, according to AAA, consumers are seeking relief at the pump. One option gaining traction is E15, a fuel blend containing 15 percent American ethanol. According to data from Growth Energy, the nation’s largest trade association for biofuel producers, E15 saves motorists an average of 30 cents per gallon compared to standard E10 fuel, with savings in some markets exceeding $1 per gallon. The fuel is now available at more than 5,100 gas stations across 35 states.

“E15 can deliver better performance and bigger savings every time consumers fill up their tanks,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “It’s approved for more than 96% of cars on the road — all passenger cars and light-duty trucks model year 2001 or later — so making the switch has never been easier. And with fuel prices at a four-year high, E15 can save drivers money and shield them from global market volatility.”

Also marketed as Unleaded 88 (UNL88) to highlight the octane boost from ethanol, E15 is already offered by dozens of major retail chains. Access has expanded rapidly since 2019, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented regulatory and short-term measures to keep E15 available even during periods when seasonal regulations would otherwise restrict its sale. Those measures have helped maintain availability in recent summers, but Congress now has an opportunity to provide more certainty by making year-round access permanent nationwide.

Bipartisan legislation that passed the House this May would update decades-old rules limiting when some gas stations can sell E15, aligning regulations with evidence that the higher-ethanol blend can reduce ground-level ozone formation, particulate emissions, and other air pollutants. Similar legislation is awaiting action in the Senate.

“Permanent year-round E15 can help raise income in rural communities, strengthen American energy security, and deliver lower prices at the pump at a time when Americans need it most,” Skor said. “It’s not a mandate or a requirement — it simply gives our retail partners the freedom to offer another option to cash-strapped motorists.”

For Texas, the implications are significant. The state is a major producer of ethanol and a key player in the nation’s energy sector. Expanded E15 availability could boost demand for corn-based ethanol, supporting rural economies and agricultural producers. It also aligns with broader efforts to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on foreign oil. Retailers, particularly those in competitive urban markets, may benefit from offering a lower-cost fuel option that attracts price-conscious consumers.

Drivers can locate nearby stations selling E15 and other higher ethanol blends using Growth Energy’s Fuel Finder tool, available at GetBiofuel.com. As the Senate considers the legislation, the future of year-round E15 remains a pivotal issue for consumers, retailers, and the broader energy landscape.