Coming this summer, we’ll see more ethanol fuel at the pumps with the EPA’s issuance of another E15 Waiver for summer blend fuel. This will allow 15% ethanol to be blended with gasoline instead of 10%. Higher ethanol blends can evaporate more easily in hotter temperatures, increasing volatile emissions.
15% ethanol is not allowed to be sold in the US between June 1st and September 15th without an EPA waiver.
What Automobiles are Approved to Use E15?
E15 holds slightly less energy than the typical 10% ethanol (E10) you see at the pump. It’s about 2% less efficient, but it’s about 10% cheaper. All gasoline engine vehicles can use E10. Currently, only flex-fuel and light-duty vehicles with a model year of 2001 or newer are approved by the EPA to use E15. Flex-fuel vehicles can use any ethanol-gasoline blends up to E85.
Is E15 Normal in the Summer?
We’ve generally seen nationwide E15 waivers for the last several years, so this is nothing new – but pre-pandemic, they were generally only used for localized emergencies, like a refinery fire.
Consumers may start seeing E15 at their local pumps as early as June 1st.
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