E15 Doesn't Cause Smog. It Reduces It.
Does E15 contribute to an increase in smog?
No. E15 actually reduces the emission of smog-forming pollutants more than E10. This question was settled a decade ago when the Department of Energy (DOE)/National Renewable Energy Laboratory tested cars on E15 and E20 blends, and found that these fuels either produced no change or lowered smog-forming emissions.
Increased ethanol content means less pollution and healthier communities. A study by the University of California Riverside found that ethanol blends reduce toxic emissions, including lowering ozone forming potential and significant reductions of harmful particulates that contribute to smog. Clean-burning biofuels also help lower other tailpipe emissions —including carbon monoxide and toxic chemicals —resulting in cleaner air and a healthier environment.
At the same time, ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 46% compared to regular gasoline, making biofuels a key to achieving cleaner air. As a result, nationwide adoption of E15 could cut GHG emissions by 17.62 million tons per year, which is the equivalent of removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles from the road.
That’s why a permanent fix is so important. We can’t let outdated regulations stand in the way.
