Katerina Swanson
E85 is an alternative fuel for automobiles, consisting of a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. In California, E85 fuel has been growing in popularity due to its lower cost and environmental benefits. In 2023, the average retail price of E85 in California was $3.17 per gallon, compared to $5.01 per gallon for E10 gasoline, saving California drivers a total of $99 million that year. With its low price and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, E85 has become the fastest-growing liquid fuel option in the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | E85 |
| Fuel Blend | 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline |
| Fuel Price in California | $3.17 per gallon |
| Price Difference with E10 Gasoline | 37% less expensive |
| Average Price Discount | $1.84 per gallon |
| Number of FFVs on the Road in California | 1.34 million |
| Savings for FFV Owners | $74 on annual fuel |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions Avoided | 369,518 metric tons |
| Equivalent to Removing | 82,000 gasoline vehicles from the road for a year |
| 2022 Sales Volume | 103.5 million gallons |
| 2023 Sales Volume | 118.5 million gallons |
| Percentage Increase | 14% |
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What You'll Learn
E85 fuel is California's fastest-growing liquid fuel
E85 is an alternative fuel for automobiles, comprising a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The ethanol content can vary, however, and may be as little as 70% ethanol. It is used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs).
E85 is California's fastest-growing liquid fuel. In 2022, sales of E85 in California hit a record of 103.5 million gallons, up from zero when it was launched in the Sacramento region in 2007 by Propel Fuels. In 2023, sales rose again to 118.5 million gallons, a 14% increase on the previous year. This growth has been driven by rising gas prices, with E85 offering a lower-cost, more environmentally friendly alternative. E85 typically sells for 25 to 40% less than regular unleaded gasoline in California. For example, in April 2023, when regular unleaded gasoline averaged $5.01 per gallon, E85 sold for $3.17 per gallon, a discount of 37%.
The growth in E85 sales has saved California drivers money and helped to significantly reduce carbon emissions. In 2023, record use of E85 saved California drivers $99 million and avoided 369,518 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to removing over 82,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road for a year.
The availability of E85 has also expanded in California, with over 340 locations across the state now offering the fuel. Propel Fuels, which pioneered clean fuel retail in the state, has expanded its E85 wholesale offering across the West Coast and beyond.
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E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline
E85 is an ethanol-heavy blend of gasoline that generally uses ethanol from domestic sources, such as corn. It is a liquid fuel consisting of up to 85% ethanol, with the rest being gasoline. In the United States, the exact ratio of fuel ethanol to gasoline may vary, with the allowable ethanol content in E85 ranging from 51% to 83%. This variation is due to the lower heating value of neat ethanol, which can make it challenging to start engines in cold climates. The higher the ethanol content, the more challenging it can be to ignite the fuel at low temperatures.
E85 has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline, typically rated at 87 octane, or premium gasoline rated at 91-93 octane. This higher octane rating makes it more resistant to engine knock or premature detonation of fuel in the combustion chambers. As a result, engines can achieve greater power advantages with E85. However, E85 has lower energy density than pure gasoline, which means fuel mileage suffers, and vehicles' range may be reduced.
Ethanol has a tendency to dissolve substances like resins, rust, and other impurities that may be present in a gas tank, which can lead to faster clogging of the engine's fuel filter. Not all vehicles are designed to accept fuel with increased amounts of ethanol, and it is important to consult the owner's manual or check for an FFV badge before using E85.
In California, E85 is the state's fastest-growing liquid fuel, with a record of 103.5 million gallons sold in 2022. It is available at more than 340 locations across the state, and over 1.2 million vehicles in California are flex-fuel. E85 typically sells for 25% to 40% less than regular gasoline in the state, with prices for regular gasoline averaging $4.68 per gallon in California in 2023.
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E85 typically sells for 25-40% less than regular gasoline in California
E85 fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and has become an increasingly popular fuel option in California. In 2023, a record 118.5 million gallons of E85 were sold in the state, up from 103.5 million gallons in 2022. This increase in demand can be attributed to the fuel's low cost and environmental benefits.
The low price of E85 has resulted in significant savings for California drivers. In 2023, the record use of E85 saved the state's drivers $99 million. Additionally, with 1.34 million FFVs on the road in California, the average FFV owner saved $74 on their annual fuel bill.
The availability of E85 in California is also increasing. As of April 2023, the blend was available at more than 340 locations across the state, and Propel Fuels, a company based in Sacramento, has been expanding its wholesale offering of E85 across the West Coast.
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E85 sales saved California drivers $99 million in 2023
E85 fuel is an alternative fuel for automobiles, containing a nominal blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The ethanol content can vary, however, and may be as little as 70% ethanol. It is used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs).
In California, E85 is the fastest-growing liquid fuel and the lowest-cost fuel option for drivers. In 2023, a record 118.5 million gallons of E85 flex fuel were sold, a 14% increase on 2022 and nearly double the volume sold in 2021. The average retail price of E85 in California in 2023 was $3.17 per gallon, compared to an average price of $5.01 per gallon for E10 gasoline—a discount of 37%. With 1.34 million FFVs on the road in California, the average FFV owner saved $74 on their annual fuel bill, totalling a saving of $99 million for California drivers.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has stated that E85 is a low-carbon, low-cost liquid fuel that is growing in popularity and availability. In 2023, the use of E85 resulted in the avoidance of 369,518 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in California—equivalent to removing over 82,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road for a year.
Propel Fuels, based in Sacramento, CA, has been instrumental in bringing E85 to the California market, launching the fuel in the Sacramento region in 2007. Propel Fuels CEO, Rob Elam, has stated that E85 has gone from zero gallons sold to over 100 million gallons in 2022, and expects to see exponential growth as Propel expands its E85 wholesale offering across the west coast and beyond.
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E85 fuel is available at more than 340 locations across California
E85 is a low-carbon, low-cost liquid fuel that is growing in popularity and availability in California. It is now available at over 340 locations across the state, with companies like Propel Fuels and Tooley Oil leading the way in its distribution. Propel Fuels, based in Sacramento, CA, has been a pioneer in clean fuel retail, bringing E85 to the Sacramento region in 2007. With its expansion across the west coast, E85 is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Tooley Oil, a second-generation family-owned company, owns and operates Shell gas stations in the Greater Sacramento area and wholesales fuel to independently owned stations in Northern California. They currently have six locations offering E85.
The benefits of E85 fuel are significant. It is a much more affordable option than regular gasoline, often selling for 25 to 40 percent less in California. For example, at a news conference held on Tuesday, E85 sold for $2.99 per gallon, compared to $4.69 for regular unleaded. Additionally, it is better for the environment, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With gas prices on the rise in California, drivers are seeking out more affordable and environmentally friendly alternatives, and E85 fits the bill perfectly. In 2022, E85 sales hit a record of 100 million gallons, with over 1.2 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road in the state. As its availability and promotion increase, we can expect to see even more impressive sales figures and a positive impact on California's fuel landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
The average retail price of E85 in California in 2023 was $3.17 per gallon, compared to an average price of $5.01 per gallon for E10 gasoline.
The record use of E85 in California saved the state's drivers $99 million in 2023.
Sales of E85 flex fuel increased by 14% in 2023 compared to 2022, with a total of 118.5 million gallons sold.
E85 typically sells for 25 to 40% less than regular gasoline in California.
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that is used as an alternative fuel for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).
