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Could E15 Bring Cheaper Gas to California? New Law Aims to Get It to More Pumps
The law removes the last regulatory barrier and could save California drivers up to 20 cents a gallon, officials and industry groups said.
On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 795, authorizing the immediate sale of E15 gasoline statewide and removing the final regulatory hurdle for the ethanol blend.
The move comes as California drivers face record-high fuel costs, exacerbated by global supply disruptions from the war in Iran, prompting the administration to seek lower-cost fuel alternatives.
Senate Bill 795 streamlines the approval process for E15-compatible vapor recovery equipment; California Air Resources Board spokesperson Lindsay Buckley noted that retail providers ultimately decide whether to offer the fuel.
Economists estimate E15 adoption could save California drivers at least $2.7 billion annually, while Aemetis CEO Eric McAfee expects the policy to add roughly 650 million gallons of ethanol demand yearly.
The California Air Resources Board advises drivers to confirm vehicle compatibility before using E15, as stations require infrastructure upgrades and immediate price drops are unlikely despite the new law.