SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Development Vitality, the nation’s largest biofuel commerce affiliation, welcomed the discharge of new knowledge from the California Air Sources Board (CARB) displaying that gross sales of E85 set a brand new file within the state in 2023.
“Californians used extra E85 than ever final yr, a indisputable fact that demonstrates how enthusiastic shoppers are about greater biofuel blends, and their want for extra methods to cut back their carbon footprint and save on the pump,” stated Development Vitality CEO Emily Skor. “Everybody needs to assist decrease carbon emissions, and better biofuel blends are probably the most inexpensive methods for them to take action. California and policymakers throughout the nation ought to pay attention to E85’s meteoric rise within the Golden State and proceed to decrease shopper prices by growing biofuels’ share of the American gas tank.”
“California also needs to quick monitor its approval of E15—one other extra inexpensive gas mix made with 15% bioethanol that can be utilized in nearly-every light-duty car or truck on the street at this time, whether or not it’s a flex-fuel car or not,” Skor added.
Retailers really feel the identical approach, in keeping with Development Vitality Vice President of Market Improvement Jake Comer.
“California’s E85 numbers exhibit that retailers and shoppers alike are demanding larger entry to extra inexpensive biofuel blends. That’s why we’ve been spending a variety of time working with California retailers to assist them supply these merchandise,” stated Comer. “Nonetheless, when retailers ask us about providing E15, we have now to ship the unlucky information that they aren’t allowed to promote E15 in California. Many of those retailers function in a number of states and have seen the success of E15 elsewhere, so there may be robust pent-up demand to supply this gas possibility. We’re hoping that California—the one state that doesn’t enable E15 to be offered—will quickly give prospects and retailers extra inexpensive, decrease carbon biofuels on the pump.”
Background
California is the one state within the U.S. the place E15—a mix made with 15% bioethanol that’s accepted by the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) to be used in all automobiles made in mannequin yr 2001 and newer—is just not accepted on the market. Nonetheless, gas retailers within the state have taken steps to promote extra E85 to California drivers, together with via the usage of funds awarded via the Larger Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), a federal infrastructure grant program that helps gas retailers supply greater biofuel blends, and that continues via most of this yr. Development Vitality’s industry-leading Market Improvement crew helps retailers writing grant submissions and guides retailers on one of the best ways to market biofuels. California had 52 gas stations apply for HBIIP funding in spherical one, and 25 apply in spherical two. We’d anticipate even greater curiosity from retailers if California had been to approve E15.
