Katerina Swanson
E85, also known as flex fuel, is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is an alternative fuel for automobiles, and its actual ethanol content can vary depending on the season and region. In California, E85 is the fastest-growing liquid fuel and the lowest-cost fuel option. It sold a record 103.5 million gallons in the state in 2022, up from 60 million gallons in 2021. E85 typically sells for 25 to 40% less in California than regular gasoline, making it an attractive option for drivers seeking more affordable and environmentally friendly fuel. With its growing popularity and availability, E85 is expected to play a significant role in California's transition to carbon neutrality by 2045.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline |
| Cost | 25% to 40% less than regular gasoline in California |
| Price in 2023 | $2.99 per gallon in California |
| Price difference with regular gasoline | $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon |
| Price difference with regular gasoline in 2023 | $1.70 |
| Number of retail stations in California | Over 340 |
| Number of flex-fuel vehicles in California | Over 1.2 million |
| Sales volume in 2021 | 60 million gallons |
| Sales volume in 2022 | Over 100 million gallons |
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What You'll Learn
E85 is California's lowest-cost and fastest-growing liquid fuel
E85 is a flex fuel made from blending about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. In California, E85 is the lowest-cost and fastest-growing liquid fuel option for drivers. In 2022, sales of E85 in California hit a record of 103.5 million gallons, up from about 60 million gallons in 2021. This record was surpassed in 2023, when 118.5 million gallons of E85 were sold, a 14% increase over 2022.
E85 is a low-carbon, low-cost liquid fuel that is growing in popularity and availability. It is made from ethanol, which is derived from plant materials, including corn. E85 substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline, and its low cost has saved California drivers millions of dollars. In 2023, the record use of E85 in California saved the state's drivers $99 million, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 370,000 metric tons.
The low price of E85 provides a strong incentive for consumers with flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) to purchase the product. E85 typically sells for 25 to 40% less in California than regular gasoline. For example, at a particular fuel station in Sacramento, E85 sold for $2.99 per gallon, compared to $4.69 for regular unleaded. According to E85prices.com, 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%.
The combination of California's low-carbon economy and entrepreneurial culture has created a positive outcome for consumers, fuel retailers, and farmers. The state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard are providing incentives for retailers and marketers to increase E85 sales. The Renewable Fuels Association has called on California to promote the sale of more flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on E85, as this will help the state achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 and beyond.
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E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline
E85 is a type of flex fuel, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) with modified internal combustion engines that can run on any mixture of gasoline or ethanol up to 85% ethanol. The higher ethanol content in E85 makes it an alternative to pure gasoline, with benefits including reduced environmental costs and lower prices.
E85 is marked by yellow gas pumps and typically costs less than other fuel options. It is also known to reduce certain emissions compared to conventional gasoline. For example, E85 is less volatile than gasoline, resulting in fewer evaporative emissions. It also reduces carbon monoxide emissions and provides significant reductions in emissions of harmful toxins, such as benzene.
However, E85 is not available at all filling stations and is not compatible with all cars. Traditional gas engines cannot use E85, and it should not be used in cars that are not designed for flex fuel. Additionally, E85 has a lower energy density than pure gasoline, resulting in reduced fuel mileage.
In California, E85 has been gaining popularity, with sales topping 100 million gallons in 2022. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has called on the state to promote the sale of more flex-fuel vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality goals. E85 has consistently sold at a discount in California, providing an incentive for consumers with FFVs to purchase the product.
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E85 costs less per gallon than regular gas
E85 fuel is blended from about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is a type of flexible fuel, or FFV, that can be used in flex-fuel vehicles with modified internal combustion engines. Traditional gas engines cannot use E85 flex fuel.
E85 costs around 60 cents less per gallon than regular gas, although the exact price difference varies. In 2009, one source noted that E85 was 33 cents, or 9.7% cheaper than regular gas. In June 2021, the average price of E85 in California was $2.85, while the average price of gasoline was $4.22, making E85 32% cheaper.
The price difference is due in part to E85 being taxed less heavily than regular gasoline. E85 also has a lower energy content per gallon than gasoline, which means vehicles using it travel fewer miles per gallon. However, some flex fuel blends with lower ethanol content can provide the same or even better fuel economy than regular gasoline.
Despite the lower mileage, the overall cost of E85 is still lower than gasoline. Even in the worst-case scenario, when E85 reduces your mileage by 25%, you can still save about 7% on fuel. Additionally, E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, reducing maintenance costs.
The popularity of E85 is growing in California, with sales topping 100 million gallons in 2022, up from 60 million gallons in 2021. The number of E85 retail stations in the state has also increased rapidly.
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E85 is available at over 340 locations in California
E85 is a type of flex fuel that is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is available at over 340 locations in California.
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) have modified internal combustion engines that can run on traditional gasoline and ethanol blends like E85. FFVs can be identified by a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" at the rear of the vehicle, or by a yellow gas cap or yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted.
E85 is not available at all filling stations, but its popularity is growing in California. Sales of E85 in the state topped 100 million gallons in 2022, up from 60 million gallons in 2021. The number of E85 retail stations in California has also increased rapidly.
E85 typically costs around 60 cents less per gallon than regular gas, but vehicles using it travel fewer miles per gallon. E85 has sold for a discount of between $1.50 and $2.00 per gallon compared to California reformulated gasoline, providing an incentive for consumers with FFVs to purchase it.
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E85 reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline
E85 is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is a renewable and domestically produced alternative fuel. The ethanol used in E85 is made from plant materials, including corn.
E85 has been proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline. The US Department of Energy has stated that ethanol is much easier on the environment than gasoline. This is because the carbon dioxide released when ethanol is burned is offset by the carbon dioxide captured when the feedstock crops are grown to produce ethanol. On the other hand, gasoline and diesel are refined from petroleum extracted from the earth, and no emissions are offset when these petroleum products are burned.
A study by the Argonne National Laboratory found that corn ethanol production between 2005 and 2019 produced much less greenhouse gas than the same amount of gasoline. The American Coalition for Ethanol also discovered that flex fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% more than gasoline.
In California, the carbon intensity of ethanol is approximately 40% less than the baseline for gasoline, with some ethanol sold in the state being approximately 70% lower in carbon intensity.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, E85 also cuts cancer-causing particulates by 95% and supports cleaner combustion.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel, also known as E85, is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that have modified internal combustion engines.
In California, E85 typically sells for 25 to 40% less than regular gasoline. For example, at a specific location in California, E85 sold for $2.99 per gallon, compared to $4.69 for regular unleaded.
E85 is available at more than 340 locations across California, and its availability is increasing.
