RFA releases online calculator to help consumers understand savings from E15 and E85

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association released an easy-to-use online calculator to help consumers understand how much money they can save by choosing ethanol blends like E15 and E85. With 51 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving, the new tool comes just in time to help consumers choose the best fuels for their family’s pocketbook.

The average U.S. family drove 25,600 miles last year, meaning they could save $190 or $50 on their annual fuel bill by using E85 or E15, respectively, instead of E10 (based on current national average prices). In other words, the cost per mile driven would be 10.2 cents on E10, 9.9 cents on E15, and 9.4 cents per mile on E85.

While the calculator compares E15 and E85 savings to an E10 baseline, it should be noted that E10–which is ubiquitous across the country today–is itself providing significant savings to the consumer. According to E85prices.com, today’s average price of gasoline without ethanol (E0) is $2.84 per gallon, 13% higher than the average price for E10.