Trump administration orders gas to be diluted - what it means for drivers

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

On March 25, the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency fuel waiver for E15. That means gas stations are allowed to sell E15 nationwide during the summer starting May 1.

E15 is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. Ethanol is usually made from corn, which is why this fuel is closely tied to U.S. farming and ethanol production.

What changed with E10 fuel

The EPA waiver did not only affect E15. It also removed federal barriers tied to E10 distribution.

-snip-

Why E15 is usually restricted in summer

In simple terms, fuel evaporates more easily when temperatures rise. That could contribute to smog, which is why summer fuel rules are usually stricter in many parts of the country.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/trump-administration-orders-gas-to-be-diluted-what-it-means-for-drivers/ar-AA235Kuk

[dweller]

1. Starting May 1st ?

🤔

Have they already been pumping it and not labeling it ?


✌🏻

[Mister Ed]

2. I've been finding it at pumps alongside regular E-10 87 octane. n/t

[dweller]

4. I can't use E15

In my old Subaru , but E10 is ok .
I haven’t seen E15 yet here in NC


✌🏻

[MineralMan]

3. Oh, Probably. The retail gas stations don't give a damn!

[OrlandoDem2]

5. If it evaporates more easily in the summer won't people have to fill up more frequently?

If even by a day more frequently each week, over a summer you’ll still pay just as much or more.

But I’m probably looking at this too simplistically.

[Jerry2144]

6. Ethanol has 20% less energy per gallon than gasoline

Last edited Thu May 14, 2026, 03:16 PM - Edit history (1)

So your MPG will drop using it by a couple percent going from E-10.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Ummmm....

The boiling point of ethanol is 78.4°C
Gasoline has a boiling range of 39° - 200°C, with 50% of fraction boiling below 60°C.
This results in around 2/3rds of gasoline boiling at the BP of ethanol or lower.
I'm not convinced there is a evaporative issue here.
Whether the elastomers in the fuel system are optimized for 15% ethanol is a different matter.
It may be a problem; it may not. But, simply switching without a hazard analysis is foolhardy.
Also, the energy density of gasoline is much higher. 42 megajoules per kg vs 29-30.
So, more fuel will actually be used with E15.
Maybe there's a different environmental concern that comes into play.

[dalton99a]

8. Kick

[yardwork]

9. Trump brings back smog.

Yay.

[Justice matters.]

10. Yep.

So Grrrrreat Again.