E15: Decision made on ethanol blend in US

The court rejected a challenge by the American Petroleum Institute (API), the chief lobbying group for the oil industry, that the blend was unsafe for consumption in cars and motorcycles built pre-2001.

Bob Greco, a senior API official, claimed the use of E15 (gasoline mixed with 15 % ethanol) ‘could leave millions of consumers with broken down cars and high repair bills’. Concerns about the knock-on effect on the price of food have also been aired.

But the court left in place a federal appeals court ruling that dismissed all challenges by the API and trade associations that represent restaurants and food producers among others.

E15 is currently sold at 20 petrol stations throughout the Midwest but this decision means it can now potentially go nationwide and eventually replace E10 at the pumps if market demand is there.