This summer, you can choose E15 at the pump thanks to a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And starting in 2025, EPA approved year-round sales of E15 for select states, including Wisconsin.
E15 also goes by Unleaded 88 at the gas pump. It means that the gasoline has a 15 percent ethanol blend. In Wisconsin, most people are familiar with Unleaded 87, which is E10 or 10 percent ethanol blend.
Howard Boppart, grain merchandiser with Marquis Energy, reminds us that vehicles from 2001 and newer can fuel up with E15. It comes at a 10 cents per gallon or more discount compared to E10. You can save about 70 or more cents per gallon compared to premium gasoline.
It’s also better for the environment being a renewable fuel, Boppart adds.
A 2022 study from the University of California found that switching to E15 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 50 percent compared with fossil fuels. E15 burns cleaner, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
And it’s a domestic fuel. When more of the product gets onto the market, it allows ethanol producers to put more money into the economy.
“Every gallon of ethanol that we produce here and sell is one less that we have to buy overseas,” Boppart says.
