Why is E15 banned?

E15 is considered a biofuel because of its higher concentration of ethanol. It's more sustainable and cleans burner than pure gasoline, but E15 creates more ground-level pollution than E10. That pollution can lead to smog in high temperatures which is why it's been banned during the summer since 2011.

Why is E 15 not sold in summer?

Under the Clean Air Act, E15 cannot be sold in summer because it evaporates more readily in warm weather and can worsen air pollution.

Why is there a summer ethanol ban?

The summertime ban has been in effect since 2011 and was based on concerns that more ethanol in fuel might lead to more smog. The added boost of ethanol could increase the amount of smog-causing pollutants entering the atmosphere.

Does E15 damage your car?

One of the major complaints by E15 opponents is that ethanol can corrode many of the plastics, metals, and rubber components used in internal-combustion engines and their fuel systems. Hence, using fuel with a higher concentration of ethanol than the manufacturer recommends may damage your vehicle.

Is E15 good for the environment?

One study found that using E15 instead of petroleum can lead to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

What is E15? Pros

How much E15 is sold in the US?

Sales of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol, hit a record 814 million gallons in 2021, according to a new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association. The 2021 volume represented a 62 percent increase over the prior year and was nearly double pre-pandemic sales volumes in 2019.

Does E15 get better gas mileage?

E15 gas contains slightly less energy than standard E10 gasoline, according to a 2009 study from the federal government. This means you're going to get slightly lower fuel economy with E15, which means you could need to fill up more frequently.

Will E15 void my warranty?

Seven additional automakers (Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo) have stated that the use of E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner's manuals and may void warranty coverage.

What if I accidentally put E15 in my car?

The EPA and an academic study have said that fuel containing 15% ethanol is safe for cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles made in 2001 or later — which make up more than 90% of the vehicles on U.S. roads. Many car manufacturers have okayed the use of E15 fuel in their vehicles made in the past 10 years.

Does E15 add horsepower?

E15 Pros and Cons

Also, because of its higher octane (than regular 87-octane fuel), E15 reduces engine knock and promotes greater overall efficiency and power.

Is E15 the same as E85?

E15, usually dispensed from pumps with blue labels, should not be confused with E85, which contains up to 85% ethanol. It's for use only in flex-fuel vehicles, with engines that can withstand that corrosive effects of a high blend of alcohol.

Can all cars use E15?

E15, often sold at the pump as Unleaded 88, for its octane rating, can safely be used in all cars, trucks and SUVs from 2001 on. Those model years represent more than 90% of vehicles on U.S. roads. The ethanol industry says the fuel is one of the most tested in history and has no effect on vehicle drivability.

Is E15 gas the same as 89?

E15 is a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. It contains 5% more ethanol than E10, which is the most common fuel used in the U.S. E15 is higher in octane – typically 88 octane while E10 has an octane rating of 87. Retailers are offering E15 as Unleaded 88 to highlight its high octane value.

Is E15 sold in Florida?

Most ethanol in the United States comes from corn. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried issued an emergency rule May 9 allowing all fuel retailers in the state to sell the cheaper E15 fuel blend.

Can I use regular 88 gas in my car?

While the federal government says it is acceptable to use the 88-octane blend, using the fuel in your vehicle could void the manufacturer's warranty. The 88-octane is just a fancy way of saying e15 gas.

Is E15 better than 93?

With E15, the extra ethanol boosts the pump octane rating of the fuel several additional points compared to 10 percent ethanol gasoline. The pump octane rating may be as high as 98 with E15 if it is blended with a high grade gasoline, or as low as 91 to 93 octane if it is blended with a low grade gasoline.

Will diesel ruin a gas engine?

Diesel in a gasoline engine is less likely to cause extensive damage if it's caught quickly enough. Gasoline mixed with diesel will not burn efficiently, and may result in spark plug fouling, engine misfires and catalytic converter damage. Eventually, the car will not run at all.

Will E85 damage my engine?

E85 is actually safer for your engine than regular gasoline is. E85 flex fuel not only powers your engine but also cleans your engine, fuel lines, and fuel injectors. That's because E85 contains a high amount of ethanol, up to 83%. Ethanol is an excellent cleaner.

Is unleaded 88 the same as E15?

Unleaded 88, also known as E15, consists of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. This fuel has a higher octane rating than regular 87 octane fuel, offering your engine a boost, and it burns cleaner than regular unleaded, improving our air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Can I use E15 in my lawn mower?

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) suggests that you don't use a gasoline mixture marked as E15 in your lawn mower because the substance can be corrosive and can seriously damage fuel systems that are not designed to handle it. E15 fuels burn significantly hotter than the E10 or ethanol-free gasoline.

What is the difference between unleaded and unleaded 15?

E15 is cheaper than regular unleaded with a higher octane. It has 15% ethanol while other kinds of gasoline at the pump have only 10%.

What cars can burn E15?

What kind of car can we run E15 in? E15 has been certified for use in any gasoline-powered car with a U.S.-certified emissions system from 2001 or newer, whether it's flex fuel or not. To be clear, 90 percent of all vehicles on the road today fall into this 2001-and-up category, so chances are that's your vehicle.

Is E15 winter blend?

The EPA currently allows E15 sales during the fall/winter months, but restricts its sales in the summer because of tight fuel vapor requirements known as Reid Vapor Pressure, or RVP. Blends of E15 and higher may have slightly higher vapor levels during the summer, contributing to smog.

Why is E85 so cheap?

E85 prices are down, not because oil companies want to sell more ethanol, but because they have to. The oil companies are in a bind. People are driving less and using less gas, but a federal mandate, called the Renewable Fuel Standard, requires the companies use more ethanol.

Is E15 worse for the environment?

E15 is meant to be a cleaner form of gasoline because it includes biofuel -- which is considered "carbon neutral" -- and it does burn cleaner than 100% gasoline. But using it actually creates more ground-level air pollution.