A new report from the US Department of Energy shows that E15 petrol is delivering meaningful savings for motorists, with prices averaging $0.47 per gallon (€0.43) below standard E10 – an 11.5% discount.
Based on real‑world retail data, the DOE also found that E15 is 8% cheaper on an energy‑equivalent basis, meaning drivers pay less per mile travelled when choosing the higher‑ethanol blend.
The Renewable Fuels Association said the findings reinforce the role of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and its RIN credit mechanism in expanding ethanol use and reducing pump prices for consumers.
RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper said the data “proves that the exact opposite is true” of claims by some refiners that the RFS increases fuel costs.
“After the Trump administration finalised the highest‑ever RFS volumes back in March, the marketplace responded by expanding the supply of lower‑cost E15,” he said. “American drivers who have access to E15 are saving real money with each fill‑up, and those savings are being enabled by the RFS and RIN values.
“Undermining the RFS with small refinery exemptions would reverse this progress and lead to higher prices at the pump.”
According to the DOE’s July release – the first to include E15 pricing – the average E15 price in April was $3.62 (€3.33) per gallon, compared with $4.09 (€3.76) for E10. The report also noted that regular petrol prices surged by $1.20 (€1.10) per gallon, or 42%, between January and April as global oil supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz pushed retail prices sharply higher.
E15 discount highlighted in new DoE report
