Potential Impacts of E15 Expansion on Fuel and Agricultural Commodity Markets
March 2, 2026
FAPRI-MU Report #01-26: Allowing greater use of E15 – such as through legislative action to allow for year-round blending of up to 15% blends – would allow for additional flexibility in meeting blending requirements by creating the opportunity of firms and people to choose to use more ethanol. Current use in mid-blend fuels beyond E10 is currently subject to seasonal and locational limits. If E15 were allowed at more times and more locations, then ethanol use might expand. Importantly, in the presence of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that mandates biofuel use, the expansion of E15 could cause interactions that might not be expected.