The current EPA E15 label fosters misconceptions about E15 and likely deters its usage. Among drivers with E15 Eligible Vehicles, the current EPA E15 label raises concerns about the fuel’s impact on vehicle engine condition and performance. The proposed Growth Energy E15 label is less likely to raise concerns while still providing similar guidance about E15 as the current EPA label.
We found that the current EPA label:
● Deters drivers with E15 Eligible Vehicles from using E15. The label makes nearly half uncomfortable with E15 and unlikely to use it.
● Raises concerns around engine performance. After viewing the label, nearly 4 in 10 drivers with E15 Eligible Vehicles think that E15 is bad for engine performance and bad for the condition of their engine.
Meanwhile, the proposed Growth Energy label:
● More effectively informs consumers about E15. The vast majority of drivers with E15 Eligible Vehicles (84%) correctly interpret that they can use E15 – compared to 75% after seeing the current EPA label.
● Generates far fewer misconceptions about E15. Drivers of E15 Eligible Vehicles are much less likely to say the proposed label makes them uncomfortable with E15 (a 20-point difference compared to the current label). Similarly, they are much less likely to say E15 is bad for the condition of their engine based on the proposed label (an 18-point difference).