For millions of Americans that hit the road this Independence Day weekend, there was good news at the gas pump.
According to AAA, nearly 61 million people were expected to travel by car over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, making it one of the busiest travel periods on record. With so many families driving, every penny counts when it comes to filling up.
According to Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, “Ethanol producers, farmers, and retailers are proud to celebrate the holiday by holding down fuel prices for Fourth of July travelers. Despite arbitrary federal restrictions, E15 is used by millions of American drivers, approved for more than 96 percent of cars on the road, and offered at 1,000s of fuel stations across the country.”
The ethanol industry says motorists could have collectively saved more than $21 million this holiday weekend by choosing E15, a fuel blend made with 15 percent American-grown ethanol. E15 typically sells for several cents less per gallon than regular E10 gasoline while offering the same performance for most 2001 and newer vehicles.
Skor added, “Now it’s up to Congress to ensure that more American families have the freedom to choose lower-cost fuel all year long.”
Industry leaders say the savings not only help consumers stretch their travel budgets but also support U.S. farmers by increasing demand for homegrown corn used to produce ethanol.
