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]]>- E15 Basics
- Why are consumers interested in mid-level ethanol blends?
- What are the benefits of offering E15?
- How large is the market for E15?
- What is the installation process like?
- Does Growth Energy provide marketing materials?
- How many flex fuel vehicles (FFVS) are on the road today?
E15 Basics
E15 – unleaded gasoline mixed with 15 percent ethanol – is approved for use by the EPA for cars 2001 and newer.
- More than 96 percent of the vehicles on the road today are approved for using E15.
- Consumers have driven more than 90 billion miles on E15.
- Provides the same mileage as 87 regular, according to a recent Department of Energy Catalyst study.
- Produces lower emissions than regular gasoline, reducing the amount of toxins and greenhouse gasses in the air.
- Ethanol burns cleaner and cooler in engines than standard fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are consumers interested in mid-level ethanol blends?
The cost of higher ethanol blends, like E15, are typically less expensive than the standard E10 grade.
Consumers are finding that E15 is a smart choice for their engines and allows them to choose a fuel that is cleaner burning. Consumers have driven over 90 billion miles on E15.
Retailers are also discovering that offering a flex fuel blend like E85 is another revenue stream that helps differentiate their location. Sales at locations that offer both E15 and E85 continue to climb as consumers keep reaching for these higher blends.
What are the benefits of offering E15?
Higher ethanol blends are the cost-efficient solution.
Ethanol is historically less expensive than conventional gasoline, meaning the higher the ethanol blend, typically the less expensive the fuel. Research has shown mid-level blends offer similar mileage so choosing E15 is a cost-effective choice for consumers.
Ethanol blends offer an environmentally conscious solution.
All levels of ethanol-enriched fuel emit less toxins, such as carbon monoxide and other greenhouse emissions than conventional gasoline and meet EPA requirements. However, the higher levels of ethanol available through alternative blends offer even better results.
Price Advantage.
By offering ethanol blended fuels retailers gain a competitive advantage over competitors.
How large is the market for E15?
E15 is approved for use with vehicles 2001 and newer, which represent over 96 percent of the vehicles on the road today.
What is the installation process like?
When retailers are interested in adding E15, they can easily add the fuel to new build locations or locations where they are remodeling or replacing fuel equipment. In many cases, retailers are also adding E15 to their fuel mix using existing equipment. Infrastructure at retail locations can be unique, but Growth Energy has assisted with more than 2,200 installations and can help you determine the best path for your site. Growth Energy can help you with determining what equipment is best for your location, regulatory, technical and marketing activities will help you be successful with higher ethanol blends. Contact Growth Energy using the form below.
Does Growth Energy provide marketing materials?
Growth Energy has developed a P.O.P. and station imaging kit to assist retailers in advertising the availability of high- and mid-level blends of ethanol. We can help you with dispenser imaging, screen videos and other promotional tools to help differentiate your location versus your competitors. Contact Growth Energy Market Development using the form below to learn more about these valuable tools.
How many flex fuel vehicles (FFVS) are on the road today?
There are more than 27 million FFVs on America’s highways today. There are 5,500 fueling stations that carry higher ethanol blends, across the nation and more are being added every week.
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]]>- E15 is approved for 2001 and newer vehicles, or over 96% of the vehicles on the road today and account for more than 98% of the vehicle miles traveled
- Retailers have completed millions of E15 transactions with no reported fuel-related issues of any kind
- Consumers have driven nearly 100 billion miles on E15
Growth Energy Market Development’s main priority is to grow the market domestically and globally. Our priority on the domestic market front is expanding the E15 marketplace and we work directly with retailers to provide them with expertise to navigate the regulatory landscape. Adopting E15 is oftentimes easier than retailers think, depending on infrastructure already set in place. Many retailers can use their current infrastructure and purchase pre-blended E15, which also reduces the cost immensely for new infrastructure. For a new site builds, retailers have the option to purchase blender pumps and blend E15 through the dispenser on site with E85 and 87.
Considering E15 in Your Product Lineup?
Our team is also always available to help walk you through the process or answer any questions.
- The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) accepts EITHER of the following to show equipment compatibility with E15:
- UL Listing
- Manufacturer’s Warranty:
- Wayne dispensers are all compatible to E15, their newer dispensers (2014) are approved up to E40. More info can be found
- Gilbarco dispensers since 2008 are all compatible for E15.
- Since around 1980, petroleum equipment manufacturers have offered compatible for blends above 10% ethanol including: storage tanks, piping, valves, hanging hardware, dispensers, hoses, and nozzles, as the standard equipment for sale. For manufacturer letters about compatibility for ethanol blends above 10% visit the Petroleum Equipment Library here: PEI’s website.
- Nearly all UST made in the last 30 years are approved up to 100% ethanol. Learn more here: Fiberglass Tank & Pipe Institute.
- The majority of current installed tanks can store blends above E10. For many decades, underground storage tank (UST) manufacturers approved their tanks for blends up to E100, for example, all steel tanks in service, regardless of age are approved for storing E15. Also, the majority of double-walled fiberglass tanks installed since the year 1990 are compatible with E15. Manufacturers of pipe thread sealants (pipe dope) used in UST systems have stated that their products have been compatible with ethanol blends up to E20 for many years. Learn more here.
- The Steel Tank Institute confirms that steel tanks are also compatible with 100% ethanol. To learn more, see the Steel Tank institute document that is recognized by regulators as approval for E15 storage here. For a summary of this information click here.
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]]>One place many retailers start is by planning on including E15 in their new build or scrape and re-build plans. More terminals are offering pre-blended E15 making access to supply easier and easier to obtain.
Keys for Optimizing Pump Setup
✓ Presenting E15 to consumers similarly to other grades of fuel is key for success.
✓ The best pump configuration includes offering E15 at most, if not all, of the dispensers under the canopy.
✓ If possible, offer E15 from a shared versus a dedicated hose.
We can help navigate the regulatory requirements
Growth Energy has helped more than 3,000 retail sites add higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85 to their product lineup. We have the following tools available to help you, but we will also personally work with you to comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
Steps for making E15 available
If you are offering E15 you must:
- File a mis-fueling mitigation plan with the U.S. EPA. However, this is a simple process as you just need to send a letter agreeing to follow the industry mis-fueling plan. Download the letter templates (shared hose, dedicated hose, and both shared and dedicated hose )
- Agree to participate in the industry survey program with the RFG Survey Association, including a nominal registration fee – Click Here to learn more.
- Properly label the fuel using the EPA approved fuel label which can be obtained free of charge from Growth Energy
- Ensure that all of your product transfer documents contain the correct information regarding volume percentage of ethanol.
- Also, be sure to check your state and local regulations regarding proper blends of ethanol in your area including checking with your local fire marshal or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) about your facility’s compatibility with pumping E15.
For specific information about how EPA’s E15 waiver conditions impact your business, please visit EPA’s Web site. To download a summary of the steps required to add E15- Click Here.
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