Corn grows Ethanol
Did you know that farmers turn sunlight into corn and then into biofuels? That’s right. Corn-based ethanol is clean-burning, homegrown, affordable, low-carbon and readily available fuel that is the #1 fuel choice at the pump. Besides being a renewable fuel unlike petroleum-based gas, ethanol reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decreases our dependence on foreign oil, creates jobs in our state and beyond, and revitalizes our rural communities. Iowa grows corn and corn grows ethanol.
Pump it Up
Find a Station
Fuel Options
Facts on Ethanol
Pump it Up with Unleaded 88
Let’s face it. Filling up with gas isn’t something we typically get excited about. Get in, fill up, get out. But there’s a fuel choice that is cause for celebration. Unleaded 88 isa fuel choice that’s often the cheapest option you’ll see at the pump, it’s better for the environment, and it’s grown by corn farmers right here in Iowa. So the next time you’re at the gas station, don’t just fill up. Pump it Up with Unleaded 88.
Find an Unleaded 88 (E15) or E85 Fuel Station Near You
Use the map to find a fueling station offering higher blends of ethanol in your area!
Choose the Best Fuel for Your Vehicle
There are lots of fuel choices at the pump today thanks to ethanol, but which one is the best for your vehicle? Let’s break it down.
E85
70%-85% ethanol blend for flex fuel vehicles (FFV). The cleanest & most affordable option for FFVs, benefiting your wallet & the environment. Check your owner’s manual before fueling with E85.
Unleaded 88 E15
15% ethanol blend approved for 2001 & newer vehicles. Unleaded 88 is a fuel choice that’s cheaper, better for the planet, and it’s homegrown. Should not be used in small engines.
Super Unleaded 87 E10
10% ethanol blend approved for use in all vehicles & the most commonly used fuel in the U.S. Also approved for small engines such as lawn mowers, boats & motorcycles.
91
Typically only recommended for sports cars or luxury vehicles. The most expensive fuel available. Offers little to no benefit for standard cars and trucks.
All vehicles are approved for a 10% ethanol blend, and all 2001 and newer vehicles are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fuel up with E15. Vehicles that are known and labeled as flex fuel can fuel up with blends up to 85%. Check your owner’s manual if you have questions.
The Facts on Ethanol
Good for the Environment
Mother Nature is all about biofuel because it’s biodegradable, nontoxic and cleaner burning. Ethanol is a low-carbon biofuel that can reduce GHG emissions by nearly 50% compared to petroleum gas. The 15-billion gallons of ethanol produced to date has reduced GHG emissions by a whopping 54.5 million metric tons. That’s like removing 12 million cars, and their tailpipe emissions, from the road!
Ethanol is made from a corn plant, which basically turns sunlight into 4,000 everyday products including ethanol fuels. It makes sense that it’s better for the environment!
Good for Your Wallet
Ethanol is a more affordable option at the pump. Unleaded 88, or E15, costs between 5 to 10 cents less per gallon than Super Unleaded, E10. Plus, when you fill up with ethanol, you’re supporting Iowa’s economy and corn farmers. The renewable fuels industry (including biodiesel) supports 57,000+ Iowa jobs, keeping dollars in our state’s economy.
Good for Your Engine
Higher blends of ethanol provide a great source of octane for a vehicle’s engine. In fact, pure ethanol has an octane rating of 113! So, if you’re looking for homegrown, clean-burning power for your engine, fuel up with Unleaded 88.
Good for More Than Just Fuel
When corn goes to an ethanol processing plant, it doesn’t come out just as fuel. Ethanol plants use every part of the corn kernel. The starch becomes ethanol fuel, and the protein becomes distillers grains to feed livestock. The distillers grains are an excellent source of livestock feed rich in protein, fat, minerals and vitamins that animals need.