Burnsville, March 14 - Annual E15 sales in Minnesota reached a new milestone in 2023 with 127.56 million gallons reported sold, according to the latest data by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
This volume represented a 21 percent increase from the previous annual record of 105.5 million gallons in 2022.
“Minnesota has consistently been a national leader in biofuel production, and the latest data from the Department of Commerce shows that we are also leading the way on biofuel consumption. The record setting sales of higher blends like E15 and E85 in 2023 are proof that when consumers go to the pump in Minnesota, they choose the lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel that supports rural communities and Minnesota’s economy,” said Brian Werner, Executive Director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels).
The Department of Commerce reports the volume of E15 sold in December 2023 was 11.28 million gallons, 18 percent higher than the volume of E15 sold in December 2022 (9.57 million gallons).
The latest data also shows that monthly E15 sales in Minnesota surpassed 11 million gallons from June to December last year - another new record. The Department of Commerce had previously reported that E15 sales breached the 11-million-gallon barrier only once last year in August.
Data from the year-end report indicates that more than one out of every five retail stations offer higher lends of ethanol, including E15 (468 stations) and E85 (458 stations). According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), E15 prices averaged $3.24 per gallon, representing a 5 percent discount to regular gasoline.
Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce reports E85 sales in Minnesota also hit a new record in 2023 with 16.55 million gallons, 7.6 percent higher than the 15.38 million gallons sold in 2022. The sale of higher blends of ethanol has led to Minnesota’s nation-leading ethanol consumption rate of 12.71 percent in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration.
“When it comes to expanding the use of ethanol, Minnesota continues to set an excellent example for the rest of the country to follow. Minnesota families understand the economic and environmental benefits of using higher blends like E15 and flex fuels like E85; they know that choosing these lower-cost, lower-carbon fuels supports local farmers and creates good-paying jobs across the state. Our message to other states is simple: follow the North Star State’s lead on renewable fuels,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of RFA.
The Department of Commerce estimates that sales of E15 and other mid-blends of ethanol (E50, E30 and E20) and E85 based on the total number of stations offering the aforementioned fuels in Minnesota in 2023 was at 170.15 million gallons and 19.01 million gallons respectively.
MN Bio-Fuels has long been pushing for federal regulatory action to allow the year-round sale of E15 in Minnesota. In February 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a petition by eight midwestern governors - including Gov. Tim Walz - providing for year-round E15 in 2025. However, without additional action by the EPA, Minnesotans won’t have access to the lowest cost fuel at the pump in summer 2024. In 2023, the EPA issued a national emergency waiver to allow E15 to be sold from June 1 to Sept 15.