The Trump administration is moving to allow sales of gasoline that contains ethanol as it grapples with rising gas prices that have upset many Americans in an election year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement released on Wednesday, March 25 that it has “issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver to allow nationwide sales of E15, gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, and to remove all federal impediments to selling E10, gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, across the country.”
The agency said the waiver would start on May 1, 2026, and it will last until May 20, 2026. The EPA noted 20 days is the maximum window they could authorize more use of ethanol gas under the Clean Air Act.
“EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans through the summer,” EPA Administrator Zeldin said in a statement. “This emergency action will provide American families with relief 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, up 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, and E15 is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. Most of finished motor gasoline sold in the United States is E10, and most of the E15 gas that is currently available in the U.S. is sold in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The EPA said E15 is currently offered at more than 3,000 gas stations nationwide, where the agency said it serves as a “more affordable choice for Americans.”
The agency said of its decision to issue the May 1 waiver, “without this action, E15 gasoline cannot be used by roughly half of the country this summer.”
Environmental groups have criticized the idea of increasing the use of ethanol in gas in the past, saying it emits harmful pollutants just like regular gas.
How Much Does E15 Gas Cost?
The average price of E15 is not tracked as closely as the price of regular gas is. A 2023 study conducted by Renewable Fuels Association showed drivers would save about 25 cents per gallon if they used E15 gas.
The study found that the last time nationwide gas prices neared $4 a gallon in 2022, regular E10 gas averaged $3.68 per gallon, and E15 gas averaged $3.41 per gallon.
Can Using E15 Gas Damage My Car?
The EPA says E15 gas can be used in flexible-fuel vehicles and most cars made after 2001.
The agency said E15 gas cannot be used in the following types of vehicles:
- On-highway and nonroad motorcycles;
- Vehicles with heavy-duty engines, such as school buses, transit buses, and delivery trucks;
- Nonroad vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles;
- Engines in nonroad equipment, such as lawnmowers and chain saws; or
- Model year 2000 and older cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles.
Consumer Reports said in a post on its website that it agrees with the EPA that E15 gas is safe for most modern cars, but the group says drivers should “check your manual to see what type of fuel the manufacturer recommends” before they turn to the cheap fuel at pumps this summer.
“If your car is a 2001 model or older you’ll probably find the recommendation is no more than 10 percent ethanol, which is the most common blend of regular gas in the U.S. One tank of E15 isn’t going to kill your car, but it will affect it over time,” Consumer Reports said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here’s what 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
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