E-10 Unleaded

All gasoline-powered cars sold in the United States are designed to use gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol, also known as E‑10 Unleaded. 

In some states and large metropolitan areas, all of the gasoline contains ethanol, and has for several years. [1]  

States With 10 or More Years of Fuel Ethanol Use

Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol has been available in over 41 states for more than 10 years. Today, over 40% of the gasoline in the U.S. contains ethanol, and the percentage is projected to continue to increase. [2]

National Energy Policy

The United States’ energy policy calls for increased use of alternative fuels for transportation.  The national Renewable Fuels Standard requires 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel fuel to be incorporated into the nation’s fuel supply by 2012.  Current U.S. use of ethanol fuel is about 4 billion gallons per year.

State Energy Policy

Cost-effective, reliable fuel supplies are essential for Hawaii’s economy.  Hawaii’s need for ground transportation fuels is projected to increase.  Renewable fuels can contribute to Hawaii’s energy supply, as well as to several of Hawaii’s energy objectives.  Diversification of fuel supplies can reduce Hawaii’s future dependence on imported fossil fuels and the impacts of oil price increases or supply disruptions.

Hawaii’s Ground Transportation Fuel Demand

Since ethanol can be made from many locally available materials, including agricultural products and even yard or wood waste, it can provide long-term energy diversity and energy security, using plentiful renewable resources. Energy diversification is similar to establishing a diversified investment portfolio: when some prices increase and others decrease, the net effect is a more resilient portfolio with less total risk.

State Requirement

Since April 2, 2006, gasoline distributors in Hawaii have been required to distribute gasoline containing 10% ethanol. [3]  

At least 85% of the gasoline distributed to fleets and retail fueling stations is required to be E-10.

Fuel marketers prepared months in advance for the transition, to ensure that properly-blended E-10 Unleaded gasoline would be available from your favorite service station.

Gasoline Prices

Gasoline is made from petroleum (crude oil).  Global demand for petroleum has doubled in less than 3 years. There is concern that prices may continue to rise as the remaining oil becomes more difficult and expensive to extract; also, there are concerns about national energy security associated with increasing levels of dependence on petroleum.  Most of the world's reserves are located in the Middle East.  More information on global and U.S. energy issues is available from the United States Energy Information Administration  [4].

For these and other reasons, a gradual shift towards transportation fuels which can be made from sources other than petroleum is projected to be very important in the long term. 

Federal and State incentives reduce the cost of ethanol in order encourage its use, reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel, and develop renewable alternatives that can be produced in the U.S. and in Hawaii.

Several studies have concluded that ethanol produced in Hawaii can be competitive with imports, and cost-effective for blending with gasoline.

The Federal incentive is 51 cents per gallon of ethanol.  If 40 million gallons of ethanol are blended into Hawaii’s gasoline, Federal payments to blenders in Hawaii will be $20.4 million per year.  This can offset startup costs associated with the program.

Last summer, when gasoline the net wholesale cost of ethanol was half as much as gasoline.

Minnesota uses E-10 statewide. Their retail gasoline prices tend to be at or below the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my car use it?  

Yes. It's used across the nation. All automakers selling cars in the U.S. approve the use of this fuel formulation.  Here are some excerpts from owner’s manuals: 

Acura

“You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume."

Audi

“You may use unleaded gasoline blended with alcohol… Blend of gasoline and ethanol…must not contain more than 10% ethanol."

Chrysler     (Applies to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth):

“Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with oxygenates such as 10% ethanol… Fuels blended with these oxygenates may be used in your vehicle.  Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are specifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.  DaimlerChrysler Corporation supports the use of reformulated gasolines.  Properly blended reformulated gasolines will provide excellent performance and durability for the engine and fuel system components."

Ford (Applies to all Ford products including Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury):

“Ford endorses the use of reformulated "cleaner-burning" gasolines to improve air quality…These gasolines may contain oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE."

GM (Applies to all General Motors products including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Geo, Oldsmobile and Pontiac):

“Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that you use these gasolines…"

Honda

“You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume. Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions."

Hyundai

“Gasohol (a mixture of 90% unleaded gasoline and 10% ethanol)…may be used in your Hyundai.”

Infiniti 

“Infiniti supports efforts towards cleaner air and suggest that you use reformulated gasolines when available…If an oxygenate-blend…is used, it should contain no more than 10% oxygenate."

Isuzu 

“…gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to help clean the air. Isuzu recommends that you use these gasolines…"

Jaguar 

“Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol (grain alcohol) may be used."

Kia

“Do not use gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol."

Land Rover

“Gasoline/oxygenated fuel blends…up to 10% of ethanol (Ethyl or grain alcohol) and unleaded fuel mix"

Lexus

“Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol…Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve air quality."

Mazda

“The common gasoline blend that can be used with your vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%.”

Mercedes

“Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be used.”

Mitsubishi

“A mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline may be used in your vehicle…Mitsubishi Motors Corporation strongly supports the use of reformulated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines should have no adverse effects on vehicle performance or the durability of engine and fuel system components."

Nissan

“If an oxygenate-blend…is used…it should contain no more than 10% oxygenate…NISSAN supports efforts towards cleaner air and suggests that you use reformulated gasoline when available.”

Saab

“In recent years, a variety of fuel additives and alcohols or oxygenates have been blended with gasoline. Saab approves the use of such 'reformulated' gasoline in its products, which help in reducing pollution from all motor vehicles, provided that the [blend is] up to 10% ethanol by volume…"

Subaru

“Many gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as…ethanol…may be used in your vehicle.”

Suzuki

“Blends of unleaded gasoline and ethanol…may be used in your vehicle if the ethanol content is not greater than 10%.”

Toyota

“Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol…Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve air quality.”

Volkswagen

“Blend of gasoline and ethanol [is approved]…blend must not contain more than 10% ethanol.”

Volvo

“Volvo allows the use of…oxygenated fuels. Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used.”

What’s the point of all this?  

This is the first step towards not being completely dependent on petroleum-based fuels for all our ground transportation fuel needs.

Is anybody in Hawaii going to produce ethanol fuel?  

Several production facilities are under development in Hawaii.  Others are under consideration but have not been announced.

Where can I get more information?  

More information is available from many sources, including:

• new-fuel.com
• e10unleaded.com
• U.S. Department of Energy page on biofuels