Biofuels like plant-based ethanol are a low-carbon, clean fuel that play a vital role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Growing the share of renewable biofuels in America’s fuel supply is critical to achieving a healthier air and carbon neutrality.

Reducing Emissions

According to the Rhodium group, reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 will require greater use of lower-GHG fuels, including biofuels.

Low-carbon biofuels like ethanol reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent compared to gasoline.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology can significantly reduce ethanol’s carbon footprint even further.

Moving to a nationwide standard of E15 would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 17.62 million tons – the equivalent of taking 3.85 million cars off the road each year.

Beyond cars on the road, biofuels have the potential to decarbonize the aviation sector through the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Increased use of plant-based ethanol also contributes to cleaner air, reducing toxic emissions of smog and ultra-fine particulates by up to 50 percent.

Lowering Costs, Creating Jobs

Gas with 15 percent plant-based ethanol (E15) is up to $0.10 per gallon less expensive than gas with lower percentages of ethanol.

If the entire nation moved to E15 year-round, we would save $20.6 billion in fuel costs each year.

Nationwide/year-round E15 would create demand for 2.4 billion additional bushels of corn each year, increasing GDP growth in rural America by $66.3 billion.

Clean, renewable biofuels support over 555,000 U.S. jobs, and a nationwide/year-round E15 would create an additional 188,000 jobs.

Fostering Energy Independence

American ethanol reduces our dependence on foreign oil, protects U.S. energy security and shields consumers from global oil markets dominated by exporters in the Middle East and Russia.

Ethanol displaces the gasoline produced from more than 700 million barrels of oil every year.

Since the Renewable Fuel Standard was enacted in 2005, America’s crude oil imports have dropped almost 50 percent.

Enhancing Engine Performance

Ethanol is the cleanest, most affordable high-octane fuel on the market. It provides a superior octane boost without the carcinogens associated with other fuel additives.

Americans trust it in their cars, having driven more than 75 billion miles using E15.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved E15 fuel for cars made in model year 2001 and newer — more than 96 percent of cars on the road today.