The Trump administration is moving to allow the sale of gasoline containing ethanol as it grapples with rising gas prices that have left many Americans reeling in an election year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement released 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 barriers to the sale of E10, gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, nationwide.”
The agency said the waiver will begin on May 1, 2026, and will last through May 20, 2026. The EPA said 20 days is the maximum time they can 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 throughout the summer,” EPA Administrator Zeldin said in a statement. “This emergency action will provide relief to American families by increasing fuel supplies and consumer choices.”
The EPA’s announcement came as the average cost of gas rose to $3.98 per gallon on Thursday, March 26, 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. According to the US Energy Information Administration, most finished motor gasoline sold in the United States is E10, and most of the E15 gas currently available in the US is sold in the Midwest.
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 option for Americans.”
“Without this action, E15 gasoline may not be used by nearly half of the country this summer,” the agency said of its decision to issue the May 1 waiver.
Environmental groups have in the past criticized the idea of expanding the use of ethanol in gas, saying it emits the same harmful pollutants as 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 tracked. A 2023 study conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association showed that drivers would save about 25 cents per gallon if they used E15 gas.
The study found that the last time nationwide gas prices were close to $4 per gallon was 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 non-road motorcycles;
- Vehicles with heavy-duty engines, such as school buses, transit buses, and delivery trucks;
- non-road vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles;
- Engines in non-road 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 turning to the cheaper fuel at the pumps this summer.
“If your car is a 2001 model or older, you’ll probably find that the recommendation is no more than 10 percent ethanol, which is the most common blend of regular gas in the US. A tank of E15 won’t kill your car, but it will affect it over time,” Consumer Reports states.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here’s what to know about E15 gas as Trump lowers pump prices
Reporting by Keith Lang, USA TODAY/USA TODAY
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