ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Supported in part by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the domestic biofuels market continues to expand. However, what is the potential for continued growth when regular gasoline prices continue to trend lower than usual? Is price difference alone the reason why consumers choose to purchase or not purchase E85?

A newly released Fuels Institute report provides an analysis of retail sales price and volume of E85 compared with unleaded sales over a 13-month period, utilizing daily sales data from 20% of retailers selling E85 in the U.S. The report, “Retailing E85: An Analysis of Market Performance – July 2014-August 2015,” is a follow-up to the E85 retail performance analysis published by the Institute in 2014. 

In addition to a larger study sample, gas prices in 2014 were averaging approximately $3.50 per gallon. The overall goal of the study was to analyze E85 retail performance since that time.

The full report and executive brief are available for download.

The Fuels Institute was founded in 2013 by NACS. Through recurring financial contributions and daily operational support, NACS helps the Fuels Institute to invest in and carry out its work to foster collaboration among the various stakeholders with interests in the transportation energy market and to promote a comprehensive and objective evaluation of issues affecting that market and its customers, both today and in the future.