California Drivers to Save on Gas with New E15 Fuel Blend

California drivers may soon see savings at the pump with the approval of the E15 gasoline blend, a move expected to lower prices by up to 20 cents per gallon. Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation last week permitting the sale of E15 across the state, diversifying the fuel market and aiming to provide relief as gasoline prices have reached record highs, with regular averaging $6.24 per gallon and diesel at $8.44 per gallon, according to AAA Gas Prices.

Prior to this legislation, California was the only state prohibiting the sale of E15, which has been available at over 3,000 gas stations in 31 other states. A study from the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that the widespread adoption of E15 could lead to consumer savings totaling approximately $2.7 billion annually across the state. However, the study also notes that realizing these savings will require significant infrastructure modifications at gasoline stations, including the installation of separate E15 nozzles or replacement of existing E10 nozzles.

Research from the University of California, Riverside, indicates that an increased ethanol blend in fuel does not raise nitrogen oxide emissions and could potentially reduce fine particulate emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved E15 in 2011 for use in light-duty vehicles manufactured from model year 2001 onward.

Despite the economic and environmental benefits, the use of E15 is restricted. The EPA prohibits its use in conventional passenger cars manufactured before 2001, all motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, and off-road transportation such as boats and snowmobiles. Small off-road gasoline engines, like those in lawn mowers and chain saws, are also barred from using E15, with standard E10 or ethanol-free gasoline remaining their only approved options.