Iowa fuel stations again began selling E15 on Friday, September 16. The blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline is the lowest-cost fuel option for the vast majority of vehicles on the road today. The E15 blend is legal to use in newer vehicles—cars, trucks and SUVs that are model 2001 and newer.

SUPER DUPER: Iowa Corn Growers Association has launched a new campaign to educate consumers about E15, a higher-octane fuel made from 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. The name "Super Duper Unleaded" refers to E15 containing 5% more ethanol than E10, known as Super Unleaded.

The E15 blend isn’t allowed to be sold for three months during each summer, due to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. That three-month hiatus is because of a quirk in EPA’s summertime blending rules for gasoline and ethanol. However, after September 15, the federal rule stipulates that E15 will be available. This year it is available at nearly 70 stores across Iowa for all 2001 and newer vehicles.

E15 sales will increase significantly the next few months

“With more stations offering E15 than ever before, even more Iowa motorists can once again reap the low-cost benefits of choosing E15,” says Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). “Motorists have logged hundreds of millions of trouble-free miles traveled on E15 while achieving essentially the same mileage as E10. Considering E15 is more widely available in Iowa than ever before, I expect E15 sales to skyrocket over the next several months.”

In partnership with Growth Energy, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on September 16 signed a proclamation naming September 16 “E15 Day” in Iowa. September 16 is significant because federal fuel volatility regulations restrict the sale of E15 to flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) only from June 1 through September 15 each year. E15 can then be sold to all 2001 and newer vehicles from September 16 through May 31. These vehicles make up about 85% of the vehicles on the road today.

E15 is often sold at 5- to 10-cents per gallon less than E10 blend

“E15 is vitally important, not just to Iowans’ pocketbooks, but to air quality, competition at the pump and Iowa jobs,” says Shaw. “There’s no better time to get out and try some cleaner-burning E15.” Find fuel stations offering E15 near you by clicking here.

E15 is a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol, just 5% more ethanol than the most commonly used fuel in the U.S. — which is E10. E15 is often sold at a 5-cent- to 10-cent-per-gallon discount to E10, and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use in all 2001 and newer vehicles. To learn more about E15 click here.

Biofuels industry accounts for $4.6 billion of Iowa economy

According to a recent IRFA study, Iowa’s renewable fuels industry accounts for more than $4.6 billion of Iowa GDP, generates $2.3 billion in income for Iowa households and supports more than 43,000 jobs throughout all sectors of the Iowa economy. Read the full study by clicking here.

Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4 billion gallons annually, including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce more than 315 million gallons annually. IRFA was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development. Visit IowaRFA.org for more.

Iowa Corn launches "E15: Super Duper Unleaded" campaign

Also last week, on September 15, the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Iowa Corn Promotion Board launched a new communications campaign to educate consumers about E15, a higher-octane fuel made from 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. The name "Super Duper Unleaded" refers to the fact E15 contains 5% more ethanol than E10, also known as Super Unleaded, which according to the Renewable Fuels Association is the most commonly used fuel in the United States.

"Many consumers get to the pump and automatically reach for Super Unleaded because it's the cheapest fuel, without any knowledge that it contains ethanol. Although E15 is even cheaper yet, many believe you must own a flex-fuel vehicle to use it, which isn't the case," says ICPB president Larry Klever, a farmer from Audubon. "The 'Super Duper Unleaded' campaign is a fun and lighthearted way to let people know E15 is very similar to Super Unleaded, but even better. It's Super Duper.”

More Iowa gas stations are bringing E15 ethanol to the pump

In 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved E15 for use in model year 2001 and newer vehicles, including cars, light-duty trucks, medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs), and all flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). This approved group of vehicles includes more than 80% of the cars, trucks and SUVs on the road today.

Currently, E15 is available at more than 30 fuel stations throughout Iowa; and that number is set to grow considerably this fall as over 100 new stations bring E15 to the pump. “This is a good thing for consumers, retailers, the environment and for Iowa," Klever adds. Craig Floss, CEO at ICGA, notes "E15 is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel made from Iowa corn. It saves consumers money at the pump, supports Iowa jobs and economic development, and lessens America's dependence on foreign oil.”

The "Super Duper Unleaded" campaign will use various tactics and channels, including animated videos, social media and broadcast advertising, to reach consumers across Iowa. Consumers are advised to consult their vehicle owner's manual before selecting a fuel. For information about E15 and the benefits of ethanol, including local retailers near you, visit iowacorn.org/ethanol. ICGA is an 8,000-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across Iowa, and lobbying on ag issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.