New bill would make cheaper gas available year-round. How could it affect NC?
Triangle residents can purchase gas that’s often much cheaper than regular unleaded fuel. A new bill could change when that gas is sold.
U.S. lawmakers are considering making the fuel, known as E15 and sold as Unleaded 88 at select Sheetz stations in the Triangle, available year-round across the country.
E15 is already sold throughout the year in North Carolina. But in other states, the fuel, which contains more ethanol than regular gasoline, isn’t sold during the summer. That’s because E15 can make smog concerns worse — depending on who you ask. Some say E15 actually reduces smog-forming emissions.
Regardless, in recent weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency has waived seasonal restrictions on E15 sales to address ongoing fuel supply issues, which have led to a spike in gas prices.
The House passed the bill in mid-May with bipartisan support, including from eight North Carolina representatives.
“Expanding access to E15 helps lower fuel costs for consumers, strengthens domestic energy production, and creates stronger markets for American-grown corn,” Rep. Don Davis, a Snow Hill Democrat who voted for the bill, said in a statement.
The bill was moved to the Senate and then referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, so it’s still a few steps away from being law.
But even though E15 is sold at Triangle gas stations, it isn’t as common as regular unleaded fuel. It comes with a cheaper price tag but isn’t safe for all vehicles. Here’s what to know about the fuel:
- E15 contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol, compared to 10% in regular unleaded gas. It’s branded as Unleaded 88 at Sheetz stations, but not every Triangle location sells the cheaper fuel.
- The EPA approved E15 in 2011 for light-duty conventional vehicles from model years 2001 and newer. The fuel should not be used in motorcycles, vehicles with heavy-duty engines, boats, snowmobiles or gas-powered tools like chain saws and lawn mowers.
- Drivers may see slightly lower fuel economy with E15, compared to regular unleaded gasoline, because ethanol has about 30% less energy content than pure gasoline.
- A 2023 University of California, Riverside study found E15 produced fewer emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter than gas with lower ethanol content.
- Drivers can find which Sheetz stations sell Unleaded 88 through the Sheetz app, or use sites like getbiofuel.com to find other retailers offering E15.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by Renee Umsted and Dave Hendrickson.
