E15 Apocalypse? Buyer Beware!
From epa.gov: “Beginning on May 1, 2026, EPA’s waivers will work to prevent disruption in America’s fuel supply by keeping E15 on the market and giving Americans more fuel options.”
While this all sounds pretty reasonable, there’s more:
From epa.gov: “EPA is also waiving federal enforcement of all state “boutique” fuel requirements for gasoline, allowing the production and distribution of gasoline with 9 to 15 percent ethanol content at a single common Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard of 10 psi across the nation.”
…and more:
From epa.gov: “The agency will be ready to extend the emergency fuel waivers as long as the fuel supply circumstances warrant such action.”
For all the research I’ve done, I still can’t seem to get past all the double talk and vaguely worded regulatory language to determine if this means that a fuel pump (dealer or source) can post 10% ethanol on their pump, but be now “waived” to push this up to 15% ethanol with the permission of the Federal regulatory agency and without directly notifying the consumer.
From afdc.energy.gov (Department of Energy): ‘Ethanol and Methanol Labeling Requirement
Ethanol fuel retailers must clearly label motor fuel pumps dispensing 15% ethanol (E15) fuel blends. The labeling must follow established, federal labeling specifications for E15, including prominent display of fuel type, blend, and vehicle applicability. All motor fuel pumps dispensing ethanol or methanol must state “Contains Ethanol” or “Contains Methanol.” Additional requirements apply.’ A different knowledgeable source told me that whatever labeling rules are in place may have been watered down by legislation.
For now, all of this is as clear as mud to me and I’ll be taking precautions…meaning, buying “rec gas.” Fortunately, I live near one of the premier smallmouth fisheries in the nation and know of a couple of stations. More research is needed for sure, but for now, buyer beware!
Some of this information came from a knowledgeable source in the boat repair industry who said,
“It won’t go well for our 2-cycle outboards when using a source of fuel with 15% ethanol.” This was confirmed through an AI Overview: “E15 should not be used in motorcycles, boats, or vehicles made before 2001.” As with so much of the information regarding this topic, I’m most comfortable with being cautious and not using E15 for any 2-cycle engine.
It was always my perception that the fuel additives I use turn the ethanol into something harmless. Not true, says my boat repair source. What the additive does is control the additional moisture that ethanol draws into my fuel system, nothing more.
From mecurymarine.com:
Problems that can be caused by too much ethanol in fuel (more than 10%) include the following:
- Corrosion of metal parts
- Deterioration of rubber or plastic parts
- Fuel permeation through rubber fuel lines
- Starting and operating difficulties
…and it gets worse from there.
See more about this on their website: https://www.mercurymarine.com/nz/en/lifestyle/dockline/beware-of-e15-at-the-pump
Is our nationwide fuel security creating an issue for boaters? At this time, I can’t be sure that is the case and also cannot be sure I can trust a sticker on a fuel pump to be giving me the whole story.
I welcome any comments, tips or advisement on the issue. It’s April 29th, and I just found all this out. The emergency waiver goes into effect in two days.
Category: Feature
